ILLINOIS — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has extended the state’s stay-at-home order through the end of May in effort to fight the spread of the coronavirus. There are also new modifications to the executive order. For example, state parks will begin a phased reopening under guidance from the Department of Natural Resources. Golf will be permitted under strict safety guidelines. Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries may reopen as essential businesses. Non-essential retail may reopen to fulfill telephone and online orders through pickup or delivery.
Beginning May 1, individuals will be required to wear a face covering or a mask when in a public place where they can’t maintain a six-foot distance. The new requirement applies to all citizens over the age of 2. Essential businesses and manufacturers will be required to provide face coverings to employees and follow occupancy limits. Educational institutions may now allow and establish procedures for pickup of necessary supplies or student belongings. Dormitory move-outs must follow public health guidelines.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will also be issuing guidance to surgery centers and hospitals to allow for certain elective surgeries for non-life-threatening conditions beginning May 1.
As of Thursday, April 23, there were 36,934 cases of COVID-19 and 1,688 deaths in Illinois, according to IDPH.