Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced an
extension of the stay-at-home mandate, with some changes. Many of the same rules will remain in place through the end of May, though some businesses
such as greenhouses will be allowed to open. Other retailers are
allowed to re-open so that staff can work on online orders and
answering phones. State parks will reopen, as will golf courses.
All residents are required to continue
social distancing measures, and starting May 1, must wear masks when
in public settings such as stores. A new executive order will be issued next week, said the
governor. He said the decision was based on data from scientists and
health experts as well as conversations with “stakeholders.” The state health department will also create guidelines to allow certain elective procedures starting next month.
“Make
no mistake, Illinois has saved lives. By staying home and social
distancing, we have kept our infection and death rates for the months
of March and April thousands below the rates projected had we not
implemented these mitigation strategies,” Pritzker said in a news release. “I know how badly we all want our normal lives back.
But this is the part where we have to dig in and understand that the
sacrifices we’ve made as a state to avoid a worst-case scenario are
working — and we need to keep going a little while longer to finish
the job.”
More details from the governor’s office
release are as follows:
OUTDOOR RECREATION: State parks will begin a phased re-opening under
guidance from the Department of Natural Resources. Fishing and
boating in groups of no more than two people will be permitted. A
list of parks that will be open on May 1 and additional guidelines
can be found on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
website HERE.
Golf will be permitted under strict safety guidelines provided by
the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
and when ensuring that social distancing is followed.
NEW
ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES: Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries may
re-open as essential businesses. These stores must follow social
distancing requirements and must require that employees and
customers wear a face covering. Animal grooming services may also
re-open.
NON-ESSENTIAL
RETAIL: Retail stores not designated as non-essential businesses and
operations may re-open to fulfill telephone and online orders
through pick-up outside the store and delivery.
FACE
COVERINGS: Beginning on 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 social distance. Face-coverings will be required
in public indoor spaces, such as stores. This new requirement
applies to all individuals over the age of two who are able to
medically tolerate a face-covering or a mask.
ESSENTIAL
BUSINESSES AND MANUFACTURING: Essential businesses and manufacturers
will be required to provide face-coverings to all employees who are
not able to maintain six-feet of social distancing, as well as
follow new requirements that maximize social distancing and
prioritize the well-being of employees and customers. This will
include occupancy limits for essential businesses and precautions
such as staggering shifts and operating only essential lines for
manufacturers.
SCHOOLS:
Educational institutions may allow and establish procedures for
pick-up of necessary supplies or student belongings. Dormitory
move-outs must follow public health guidelines, including social
distancing.
This article appears in Ramadan in Springfield.
Where is the part in which he stated that employees with underlying conditions in an essential business such as a manufacturing plant cannot be fired or forced to work and they need to contact the Department of Labor??