Governor JB Pritzker has ordered Illinois residents to "stay at home." The Executive Order is in effect from 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21, through Tuesday, April 7.
The aim is to keep new cases of COVID-19 from rapidly increasing and ensure the state's health care system remains fully operationial to treat patients in need of urgent care.
Read more here.
Under the order, individuals may only leave their resident to perform essential activities, defined as for health and safety; for necessary supplies and services; for outdoor activity; for certain types of work; and to take are of others.
More specifically, essential activities include:
- Stores that sell groceries and medicine
- Organizations that provide charitable and social services
- Media
- Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation
- Financial institutions
- Hardware and supply stores
- Post offices and shipping business
- Laundry services
- Restaurants for consumption off-premises
- Transportation services
- Home-based care and services
- Residential facilities and shelter
- Funeral services
- Auto repair
Essential businesses and operations are mandated to take proactive measures in maintaining social distancing. These measures may include where possible: designating six-foot distance; providing hand sanitizer and sanitizing products; separating operating hours for vulnerable populations and providing online and remote access for employees.
The order provides that all non-essential business and operations must cease.
This document answers some questions about the order.
A new COVID-19 hotline has been set up by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health. It is (708) 633-3319. Calls about possible infection and symptoms and other questions should be made here.