Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has extended his stay-at-home order for another month, but with some modifications. State parks, golf courses, and more businesses will be able to open with certain restrictions, but face-coverings will be required in public indoor spaces.
His earlier order was set to expire April 30th - the new one will go into effect May 1st.
Thursday the governor said if the stay-at-home order were lifted this week, a second wave of the outbreak in Illinois could start next month, which would claim thousands of lives and greatly exceed the state’s hospital capacity.
The changes taking effect for Illinois on May lst include:
- Surgi-centers and hospitals will be allowed to do certain elective surgeries for non-life-threatening conditions.
- State parks will begin a phased re-opening.
- Golf will be permitted under strict safety guidelines.
- Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries may re-open as essential businesses.
- And animal grooming services may re-open.
Also starting May 1st in Illinois, everyone will be required to wear a face-covering or a mask when in a public place where they can’t maintain a 6-foot social distance. Face-coverings will be required in public indoor spaces, such as stores.
