Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday extended the state’s stay-at-home order through May while making alterations and allowances.
Starting May 1, “any individual over the age of two and able to medically tolerate a face-covering or mask will be required to wear one when in a public place where they can’t maintain a six-foot social distance,” Pritzker said. “Face coverings work and we need all Illinoisans to do their part here.”
A few restrictions will be modified. “Some elective procedures” will be permitted, the governor said, mentioning non-life-threatening surgeries that do not interfere with an organization’s ability to treat COVID-19 patients.
Also, retail stores that are not currently on the list of essential businesses will be permitted to take online and phone orders and offer pick-up and delivery. “We’ve made it more explicit that greenhouses and garden centers may remain open with specified social distancing measures in place,” he said.
Pritzker also announced that the state will “begin a phased re-opening of some of our state parks” for activities that include hiking and fishing, with boating allowed for no more than two people. Social distancing will be required in all activities, he said.
The governor said that while current modeling shows Illinois’ peak for coronavirus deaths projects to occur in late April or early May, he praised Illinoisans for doing their part to flatten the curve, which allows for some of the previous restrictions to be lifted.