Illinois Governor JB Pritzker today announced that he will extend the state's "stay-at-home" executive order through Saturday, May 30, with some modifications that will take effect May 1.
Pritzker said he depended on the findings of "some of the best scientists, doctors and researchers" at state universities, departments of public health and outside consultants to make the extension decision. To lift the stay-at-home order, he said, would contribute to more deaths and threaten to overwhelm hospital capacity.
Modifications in the new extended order will allow:
- hospitals and surgi-centers to resume certain elective procedures
- retail stores not considered essential to take orders on line for pick up or delivery
- greenhouses, nurseries and garden centers to open
- some state parks to be reopened in phases for hiking, fishing and boating with no more than two people
- schools to establish procedures and allow pick-up of necessary supplies and student belongings
When Illinois' extended "stay-at-home" order takes effect May 1, all Illinoisans over age 2 will be required to wear a face covering in public places where they are not able to maintain a six-foot distance from others.
Under a local executive order, Glenview residents over age 5 since April 12 have been required to cover their nose and mouth while working at or patronizing an essential business open to the public and when using public transportation. At least 11 other Chicago suburbs had also issued executive orders to require face coverings in most public places prior to Governor Pritzker's announcement.
