Illinois State Senate District 25 issued the following announcement on April 23.
Governor J.B. Pritzker’s modified extension of his stay-at-home order, announced April 23, will take effect on May 1 and stay in place until the end of May, according to Senator Jim Oberweis.
The 25th District Senator says while the Governor has yet to announce any plans for a regional re-opening of the state’s economy, the modified stay-at-home order does include several recommendations from Senate Republicans such as resuming elective surgeries and allowing parks and some businesses to re-open.
“This is a difficult time for all Illinoisans. We appreciate the Governor taking note of our concerns, and his willingness to take a nuanced approach to this pandemic. Our top priority is of course the health and safety of our citizens,” Senator Oberweis said. “However, we must also be working to put a plan in place to restart Illinois’ economy once the stay-at-home order can be lifted safely. That plan will be a very important factor in the economic well-being of our citizens going forward.”
Revised provisions include:
Outdoor Recreation
• State Parks will begin phased re-opening on May 1. More details on which parks will re-open are available at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.
• Fishing and boating in groups of no more than two people will be allowed.
• Golf will be permitted under strict safety and social distancing guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
New Essential Businesses
• Greenhouses, garden centers, and nurseries may re-open.
• Customers and employees must wear a face covering.
• Animal grooming services may re-open.
Non-Essential Retail
• Retail stores designated non-essential businesses may re-open to fulfill telephone and online orders through pick-up and delivery.
Face Coverings
• Individuals will be required to wear a face-covering or mask in public places where they cannot maintain a six-foot social distance.
• Face-coverings will be required in indoor public spaces, such as stores.
• This requirement applies to all individuals over the age of two who can medically tolerate a face-covering.
Essential Businesses and Manufacturing
• Essential businesses and manufacturers will be required to provide face-coverings to employees who are not able to maintain social-distancing.
• These businesses must also follow new requirements to maximize social distancing and prioritize the well-being of employees and customers.
• This includes occupancy limits and precautions such as staggering shifts and operating only essential manufacturing lines.
Schools
• Educational institutions can establish procedures to pick up necessary supplies and student belongings.
• Dormitory move-outs must follow public health guidelines, including social distancing.
Additionally, the Illinois Department of Public Health will be issuing guidance to surgery centers and hospitals to allow for certain elective surgeries for non-life-threatening conditions starting on May 1. Certain criteria will be laid out that facilities must meet, including having proper PPE, ensuring enough space remains available for COVID-19 patients, and testing elective surgery patients to ensure they do not have COVID-19.
Original source can be found here.
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