Pritzker to issue new executive order as ‘stay-at-home’ order ends

Gov. JB Pritzker said Friday that Illinois is no longer under his stay-at-home order and he will issue a new executive order that further loosens restrictions.

The new order will “reflect the changes” of the new phase, but it will still include mitigation practices like social distancing and wearing face coverings if possible, Pritzker said.

The order will also continue several of the emergency rules issued in recent months, such as extending the ban on residential evictions, a moratorium on utility shut-offs and the suspension on repossession of vehicles.

When asked by Health News Illinois, Pritzker said the new order will extend his emergency rules related to the extension of telehealth services and civil liability protections for healthcare facilities.

As businesses, restaurants and retailers across the state begin to reopen, Pritzker urged Illinoisans to remain vigilant and be smart about going out in public.

“As we take our next step forward, and especially as we begin to safely reopen meaningful swaths of our economy, we have to continue to look out for each other,” he said. “Our number one priority must be the health and safety of workers and families, and all of our state’s residents.”

There were 86 COVID-19 related deaths reported on Friday, bringing the state’s total death count to 5,270. An additional 1,622 cases were reported, bringing the state’s total to 117,455 in 101 counties. Edgar County reported its first case, leaving Scott County as the lone county yet to report a case.

The state’s seven-day testing positivity rate is 8 percent after an additional 25,513 tests were processed. There have now been 855,479 completed tests.

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike also cautioned residents to be aware of any scams related to contact tracing as efforts ramp up. She said contact tracers will not ask for social security numbers, nor any information related to one’s finances.

“Please know that if any requests for that are associated with contact tracing, that is in fact a scam,” Ezike said.

Pritzker also said that, starting next week, the administration will no longer hold daily COVID-19 press conferences. He said they will instead be held on an “as needed” basis. The Illinois Department of Public Health will continue to release daily COVID-19 data.

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