Dear Neighbors,
Just hours ago, Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot announced an Executive Order requiring that residents "Stay at Home" except for essential needs. This measure is necessary to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the community. The Order is effective on
Saturday, March 21 at 5 p.m.
and is effective until April 7, 2020, unless extended.
Here
is the order.
Gov Pritzker said he issued the order because the medical profession expects the number of COVID-19 cases to rise dramatically and potentially overwhelm the health system, leading possibly to the loss of many lives.
Just today, Illinois announced another 163 cases bringing the total to 585 cases, and 5 deaths.
The order requires:
- All individuals in Illinois must stay home unless outside for "Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions or to operate Essential Business and Operations."
- Essential Activities are: going for medical care, getting food and supplies, caring for a family member, children or the disabled. You can go for a walk, get exercise, bike, run, jog or take a pet outside to go to the bathroom, so long as you maintain at least six feet of social distancing. You can run to a restaurant to pick up a meal.
- If outside, individuals must maintain at least a six foot distance from others
- All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited. Any gathering of more than ten people is prohibited, except for members of a household or residence.
- If you work in an Essential Business or Operation, you can go to and from work, in fields such as
- Health Care Operations
- certain Human Services Operations
- Essential Infrastructure, including some construction
- Essential Governmental Functions
- Essential Businesses ranging from groceries, pharmacies, food, charities and social services, media, gas stations, banks, hardware stores, critical tradesmen, mail and shipping, laundries, restaurants for off-premise dining, supplies, transportation, home health care, residential facilities and shelters, certain professional services, emergency day care programs, manufacturing for critical products hotels and motels, and funeral services
- Check the Executive Order for more detailed information about what is included in each category.
- People riding on public transit must maintain at least six feet of social distancing from other passengers. All local roads, including the interstate highways and tollways, will remain open to traffic, as well. Individuals from outside the state can travel to Illinois to come home
- All non-essential businesses must stop. If you can work at home, you must. All other activities are restricted.
- Homeless individuals are not subject to the shelter in place order but are encouraged to seek shelter, and the City will be working with the State, following up on the Governor’s announcement yesterday, to maximize available resources for the homeless population.
As a result of this order,
the City will be closing all Chicago libraries and parks facilities effective at 5 p.m. tomorrow
. This overrules the guidance given yesterday and earlier today.
While the parks can be used to recreate observing proper social distancing,
playgrounds and fieldhouses will be closed
because as the virus can remain on playground surfaces for a period of time.
The City has issued a
FAQ sheet
for more details. The steps taken today will not show outcomes for a week or two.
What You Should Do Now
If you are complying with personal hygiene and social distancing rules,you won't be much changing much of what you are doing now.
Be sure to tune in to "The Doctor Is In" will be everyday at 11 a. m. on Facebook Live on the
Mayor's Facebook
page.
We Are In This Together
According to Mayor Lightfoot, "coronavirus will not going away by happenstance. We can only save lives by keeping as many people as possible home and safe."
There is no need to rush to purchase supplies. All essential stores will be open, and restocking is happening.
The most important thing we can do to stop the spread of the virus is social distancing and washing hands with soap. That is how we end this interruption in our lives.
The State and City have been taking steps to keep us as healthy as possible. Our
personal responsibility is to take all necessary precautions to stay safe, including that we stay home.
Stay in touch, and let us know how we can help you. Call our office for resources and help at 773-348-9500.
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