IMA COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update - #51
Please visit the IMA’s dedicate d CO VID-19 page for updates and resources. 

Minutes ago, Governor JB Pritzker issued a new Gubernatorial Disaster Declaration and Executive Order (2020-32) extending the stay-at-home order to May 30, 2020. It will go into place despite several pending lawsuits.
 
The new order continues to include the same exemption for “essential manufacturing” that is defined as:
 
Manufacturing companies, distributors, and supply chain companies producing and supplying essential products and services in and for industries such as pharmaceutical, technology, biotechnology, healthcare, chemicals and sanitization, waste pickup and disposal, agriculture, food and beverage, transportation, energy, steel and steel products, petroleum and fuel, mining, construction, national defense, communications, as well as products used by other Essential Businesses and Operations.
 
However, the Executive Order (Section 1) includes brand new safety requirements specifically for manufacturers who continue to operate . They must follow social distancing requirements and take appropriate precautions which may include :
 
  • Providing face coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain a minimum six feet of social distancing at all times
  • Staggering shifts
  • Reducing line speeds
  • Operating only essential lines while shutting down non-essential lines
  • Ensuring that all spaces where employees may gather, including locker rooms and lunchrooms, allow for social distancing; and
  • Downsizing operations to the extent necessary to allow for social distancing and to provide a safe workspace in response to the COVID-19 emergency
 
Manufacturers need to follow the Executive Order to the fullest extent possible . The order does allow some flexibility in that it says “may include” as opposed to “shall include” which was done because every manufacturing facility operates differently and every single recommendation may not be possible.
 
The Executive Order will require businesses to follow guidance provided or published by the Office of the Governor, Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, state and local law enforcement, Department of Public Health, local public health departments, and the Workplace Rights Bureau in the Attorney General’s Office with respect to social distancing requirement. Businesses are prohibited from retaliating against an employee for disclosing information where the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information violates this Order.
 
In addition, here are other significant changes that will begin on May 1:
 
  • Illinoisans over the age of 2 years must wear masks when out in public when they cannot maintain a six-foot distance. Face coverings will be required in all indoor spaces such as stores.
  • Greenhouses, garden centers, and nurseries may reopen as essential businesses. Retail stores must provide face coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain a 6-foot distancing, cap occupancy to 50 percent of store capacity, set up store aisles to be one way and mark with conspicuous signage, communicate with customers about social distancing, and discontinue use of reusable bags.
  • Retail stores that are non-essential may reopen to fulfill telephone and online orders through curbside pickup or delivery.
  • Golf courses and state parks will be allowed to reopen. Fishing and boating are allowed with no more than two people per boat.
  • The Department of Public Health will issue guidance to hospitals and surgical centers to allow for certain elective surgeries.

Daily COVID-19 Results
 
Governor JB Pritzker held his daily press conference and announced:
 
  1. There are 2,563 new cases of coronavirus in Illinois.
  2. There are a total of 2,355 deaths related to coronavirus in Illinois, including 141 additional deaths announced today.
  3. A total of 52,918 cases have been confirmed in at least 96 of the 102 counties.
  4. There have been 269,867 individuals tested for coronavirus in Illinois.

Press Conference Key Updates

  • The state continues to exceed its goal of testing at least 10,000 individuals a day for COVID-19, having tested 13,200 in the last 24 hours.
  • The state is opening up two new drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites located in Waukegan and East St. Louis, bringing the total number of drive-thru sites in Illinois to seven. This increased capacity will allow the state drive-through sites to test over 3,000 individuals a day. Additionally, the state is up to 177 public testing sites. Locations can be found here.
  • The state is continuing to work to obtain the raw materials needed to conduct COVID-19 tests, including testing swabs, viral transport medium, and reagents.
Mark Denzler
President & CEO
Illinois Manufacturers' Association
Disclaimer : The information in this email is provided for general informational purposes only as a benefit of your membership in the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. No information contained in this email should be construed as legal advice from the IMA or the individual author, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.