Governor JB Pritzker has officially extended the Illinois stay-at-home order until May. He will sign a modified version that will take effect on May 1.
The extension order aims to strengthen the state’s social distancing measures. It will also give residents additional flexibility and assistance to non-essential businesses in the safest way possible.
“Make no mistake, Illinois has saved lives. By staying home and social distancing, we have kept our infection and death rates for the months of March and April thousands below the rates projected,” said Governor JB Pritzker.
“I know how badly we all want our normal lives back. But this is the part where we have to dig in and understand that the sacrifices we’ve made as a state to avoid a worst-case scenario are working," he added.
Flatten the curve
The Illinois stay-at-home order is reportedly helping flatten the curve in the state.
The model reveals there would have been 10 to 20 times as many deaths to date without a stay-at-home order. Meanwhile, the peak death rate and peak resource usage would have been 20 to 30 times.
Moreover, these numbers do not cover for deaths due to lack of access to health resources. The actual number may even be higher.
Projections show death rates and hospitalizations would rise sharply by the middle of May if the state lifts its stay-at-home order.
The peak death rate and peak resource needs may be almost as high as if there were never any mitigation measures put in place.
In addition, the model shows there would be five to 10 times more deaths if mitigation remains in place.
Modifications
The new executive order covers the following modifications effective May 1:
- Outdoor recreation: State parks will start a phased re-opening under guidance from the Department of Natural Resources. Fishing and boating in groups of no more than two people can resume. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources website has a list of parks that will be open on May 1. People can also play golf based on the safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
- New essential businesses: Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries can continue operating as essential businesses. These stores should observe social distancing requirements. Employees and customers must wear a face covering. Animal grooming services can also re-open.
- Non-essential retail: Retail stores not considered as non-essential businesses and operations may re-open to respond to telephone and online orders.
- Face coverings: Wearing a face-covering or a mask when in a public place will also become a requirement, particularly in public indoor spaces, such as stores.
- Essential businesses and manufacturing: Essential businesses and manufacturers will be should provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to keep six-feet of social distancing.
- Shools: Educational institutions may implement procedures for pick-up of necessary supplies or student belongings.
Reliance in the Midwest
The Illinois Department of Public Health will release guidelines to surgi-centers and hospitals so certain elective surgeries for non-life-threatening conditions can resume on May 1.
The governors in the Midwest will coordinate with one another in terms of reopening the economy in the region.
The governors said, “We are doing everything we can to protect the people of our states and slow the spread of COVID-19, and we are eager to work together to mitigate the economic crisis this virus has caused in our region. Here in the Midwest, we are bound by our commitment to our people and the community."
"We recognize that our economies are all reliant on each other, and we must work together to safely reopen them so hardworking people can get back to work and businesses can get back on their feet," they added.
