Pritzker enacts new virus guidelines
Outdoor service, capacity limits part of ‘our new, more open reality’
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker replaced his stay-at-home order Friday with a directive that reflects “our new, more open reality.”
Small businesses statewide opened their doors to customers, with capacity limitations implemented; restaurants and bars served socially- distanced diners outside; and fitness centers taught classes outdoors with small groups of people. Barbershops and salons resumed services as well, and state parks, wildlife areas and historic sites welcomed visitors.
The governor’s Community Recovery Executive Order codifies those changes while emphasizing the need for face coverings. It also extends the ban on residential evictions and utility shutoffs.
It was Illinoisans, he said, who made the easing of restrictions possible.
In the past four weeks, therewas an average of 250 fewer novel coronavirus patients admitted to hospitals’ intensive care units, or a drop of 20%, Pritzker said. And in the past two weeks, there was a 32% decrease in the number of COVID-19-related deaths.
“The significant personal pain that Illinoisans are feeling from this pandemic does not end with our stay-at-home order. Indeed, it’s more important than ever to support our working families as we begin our safe recovery,” the governor said. “The journey to this point has seemed very long and unfortunately, the journey is far from over. Let’s be clear on this: the virus is still out there and it’s very dangerous.”
Residents must continue to follow the Illinois Department of PublicHealth’s guidance — frequent handwashing, regular sanitation of commonly-touched surfaces, use of a face covering when in public and observation of social distancing.
And when traveling to neighboring states that instill fewer restrictions than Illinois, he added, people should not participate in activities deemed unsafe by epidemiologists.
Pritzker also announced the end to his 2:30 p.m. daily briefings. Those will be held on an as-needed basis moving forward.
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, IDPH’s director, said in the past 24 hours therewere 1,622 new COVID-19 cases and 86 related deaths.
The state’s total is now 117,455 confirmed cases and 5,270 fatalities. Cases were reported in all but one Illinois county.
“We must learn to coexist with COVID, and will coexist until we find proven treatments and a vaccine,” Ezike said. “Please be safe as we head into this weekend into phase 3. I trust all of you and your communities will model safe practices — social distancing and wearing face coverings — to minimize the transmission of this virus.”
The department issued “comprehensive” guidance to houses of worship that plan to resume in-person services, Pritzker said. Those include a continuation of online events, the addition of drive-up services or in-person services of no more than 10 people.
“I’ve said from the very beginning that I would never do anything to break up a service, to interfere with religion,” the governor said. “What I have done is implored leaders not to gather their parishioners because what we want most of all is forpeople to be healthy and safe.”