Illinois State Senate District 2 issued the following announcement on April 28.
• Changes to Executive Order to Stay Home
• Parks, and some businesses may reopen in May
• We are flattening the curve. Whats Next?
• The Governor announces a new Executive Order to Stay Home
Dear Friends,
To continue our progress to contain the contagion of COVID-19, Governor JB Pritzker announced that he will expand and modify the Executive Order to Stay Home until May 31.
This modification is an effort to give Illinois residents more flexibility while maintaining social distancing. With the new Executive Order to Stay Home, you could spend more time outdoors, reopen your business, and even return to work.
These are some of the changes that you will see from May 1:
Covering your face will be required inside public places.
Starting May 1, people over the age of 2 must use face masks or other resources to cover their faces inside public spaces where it is not possible to maintain the social distance of six feet, including supermarkets. Modifications to the Order will also include occupancy limits in essential businesses.
You will have more options for outdoor activities.
State parks will begin a gradual reopening in May, fishing and the use of boats will be allowed in groups of no more than two people. A list of the parks that will reopen May 1 and other additional directions can be found on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.
Some businesses will reopen.
Greenhouses and gardening businesses, as well as places for pet care, may reopen under the category of essential businesses. Non-essential retail sellers may operate to fill delivery orders at home and outside of their establishment. However, these businesses must follow the indications of social distancing and require customers and employees to wear face masks.
If you go back to work, you will be safer
Manufacturers will be required to provide face-covering options to their employees who cannot stay within the six feet demanded by social distancing. The Order will also compel manufacturers to adopt new practices to protect their customers and employees, including reorganizing schedules and keeping only essential production lines operational.
The Order will include guidelines to help navigate other unexpected effects of the epidemic: Dorm schools will be instructed to allow students to collect their belongings, and surgical sites and hospitals must meet strict criteria in order to restart some surgical procedures.. More details on the Executive Order to Stay Home here.
Staying at home is not easy, but it is the best tool we have to fight against COVID-19. According to information from prestigious Illinois academic and research institutions, the Executive Order to Stay Home has saved the lives of thousands of Illinois residents, without these restrictions, we could have had up to 20 times more deaths than we have.
However, the fight is not over. The information also indicates that the state could have a second wave of contagion if the requirements of social distancing are suspended now, which can take tens of thousands of additional lives.
For the health and safety of our friends, family, neighbors and workers on the front lines, we must continue our efforts to stop the spread of this virus. We know that many people are eager to return to their jobs, their social lives, and their daily routines, so we hope that this amended Order will help manage these concerns.
If I can answer your questions or help you through this difficult time we are living, please do not hesitate to call 217-782-5652 or email gonzalez1376@gmail.com.
Together, we can complete this effort and stop COVID-19.
Keep safe. Stay healthy. Stay home.
Sincerely,
Omar Aquino
2nd District State Senator
Original source can be found here.
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