Pritzker extends stay-at-home order until May 30, makes modifications

Gov. JB Pritzker has extended the Illinois stay-at-home order until May 30.

As of May 1, the stay-at-home order will be modified, though.

Modifications include:

• Anyone over two-years old who is medically able to tolerate a face-covering or a mask must wear one when in a public place and unable to maintain a distance of six feet from others;
• Greenhouses and garden centers will be allowed to reopen;
• Retail stores not designated as non-essential businesses will also be able to reopen to fulfill phone and online orders for curbside pick-up and delivery;
• Animal grooming services may also re-open;
• There will also be a phased-in reopening of state parks: Parks will be open from sun-up to sundown. Guests will be allowed to engage in activities such as wildlife observation, hiking, biking, equestrian use and fishing (both from the bank and boats-2 or less people at a time) and mushroom hunting. All visitors centers, campgrounds, playgrounds, shelter reservations, interpretive educational programs, beaches, special events and concessions will remain closed;
• Essential businesses and manufacturers must provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain six-feet of social distancing, as well as follow new requirements that maximize social distancing and prioritize the well-being of employees and customers.
• Schools can allow and establish procedures so students can pick-up belongings. Dormitory move-outs must follow public health guidelines, including social distancing;
• Hospitals and surgery centers can allow for certain surgeries for non life-threatening conditions. Facilities will need to meet specific criteria, including proper PPE. COVID-19 patients will have first priority to beds and equipment.

The initial stay-at-home order was supposed to be in place until April 7. It was then extended to April 30.

Pritzker said that by operating under the stay-at-home order, Illinoisians have saved lives.

He said that without the order, the model estimates showed there would have been 10 to 20 times as many COVID-19 deaths to date. Models also showed that the peak death rate would have been 20 to 30 times what the peak will be with the order. 

In Thursday’s press conference, Dr. Ngozi Ezike reported an additional 1826 confirmed cases of COVID-19 over a 24 hour period, bringing Illinois’ total to 36,934. Over the last 24 hours, there have been an additional 123 deaths. As of April 23, 1688 Illinoisans have lost their lives to COVID-19.

Pritzker said that his team will unroll what phases to reopen will look like after May 30 in the days and weeks ahead.