Mandate will go into force Saturday at 5 p.m.; orders residents to stay at home except for essential needs.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday ordered Illinois’ nearly 13 million residents to stay at home to combat the growing spread of coronavirus, as 163 new cases were announced in the state.
“Left unchecked, cases in Illinois will rise rapidly.” Pritzker said at a news conference. “Hospital systems will be overwhelmed. We will not have enough healthcare workers and hospital workers and ventilators for the overwhelming influx of sick patients. The only strategy available to us to limit the increase of cases and ensure our healthcare is to mitigate the spread of coronavirus in the most robust manner possible.”
The order goes into effect at 5 pm on Saturday, March 21, and will continue through the end of April 7.
In addition, Pritzker also announced that the closure of Illinois public and private schools will be extended until at least April 8. Previously, the school closure order was scheduled to end on March 30.
” I wish I could stand up here and tell you when your schools will safely reopen,” Pritzker said.
What this means:
- Residents still can:
- Shop at grocery stores and pharmacies (please be responsible, limit trips and do not hoard);
- Get gas
- Go to a bank (most via drive thru service)
- Find healthcare resources
- Take walks and go outdoors
- Drive. All local roads, including interstates, remain open.
- Many people will still go to work
- Get takeout from restaurants.
“There is no reason to run out to the grocery store or the gas station at this time,” Pritzker said. Essential services will not cease; airports and transit will remain open, Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot said.
- What should change:
- If you can work at home, do so.
The actual executive order can be found HERE.
Here’s a summary via the Illinois Manufacturers Association, regarding “essential businesses that may remain open,” which include the following general categories:
1. Grocery stores
2. Food, beverage, and cannabis and agriculture
3. Charitable and social service providers
4. Media
5. Gas stations and transportation-related facilities
6. Financial institutions
7. Hardware and supply stores
8. Critical trades (HVAC, plumbers, electrician, cleaning, etc)
9. Mail, postal, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services
10. Education institutions (does not supersede school closure announcement)
11. Laundry services
12. Restaurants for consumption off-premises
13. Supplies to work from home (businesses that sell, manufacture, or supply products)
14. Supplies for essential businesses and operations
15. Transportation
16. Home-based care and services
17. Residential facilities and shelters
18. Day care centers for employees exempted by this order
19. Manufacturing
20. Critical labor union functions
21. Hotels and motels
22. Funeral Services
Individuals may leave home for essential activities that include the following things:
1. Health and safety
2. Necessary supplies and services
3. Outdoor activity if practicing social distancing
4. Essential work
5. Take care of others
The move follows a similar edict Thursday from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, leader of the world’s fifth-largest economy. Newsom said officials are estimating that 56 percent of the state’s residents will contract the virus without mitigation.
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Earlier on Thursday, Los Angeles ordered residents to stay indoors and limit all outdoor movement beyond what is “absolutely essential”. Workers in healthcare, government and the food industry will be able to travel for work, and grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, gas stations and other essential businesses will remain open. Officials said residents can still go outside, enjoy open space and go on walks.