Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered the state’s residents to remain in their homes except for essential needs, joining similar efforts in California and New York to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Pritzker’s order announced Friday will still allow the state’s 12.6 million residents to seek essentials including groceries and medicine.
Watch the press conference below
The order will take effect Saturday and last through April 7. Pritzker says the move could potentially prevent tens of thousands” of deaths. He says people can continue to shop for groceries, visit pharmacies and gas stations, exercise outdoors and pick up meals from restaurants.
The governor also noted that all “non-essential businesses” should shut down. He also said that the state will be extending school closures until April 8th.
Illinois and New York state joined California on Friday in ordering all residents to stay in their homes unless they have vital reasons to go out, undertaking the most sweeping efforts yet in the U.S. to contain the spread of the coronavirus
.The three states encompass more than 70 million people and the three biggest cities in America: New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
U of I President Tim Killeen released a statement on this order’s effect on the university:
- Employees will work remotely other than those in essential jobs defined in the order, such as police, healthcare workers, power plant operators, and housing and dining personnel. Employees who have specific questions about whether this announcement changes their current working arrangement should ask their supervisor.
- Unless in essential jobs, faculty and staff should stay at home except when pursuing essential activities related to healthcare, pharmacy and grocery shopping, gas stations, banking, drive-through and carry-out restaurants, and home-based care for children and seniors.
- Students, we are here for you and we are so proud of you! Please help us prevent transmission by staying in your residence halls, apartments, and permanent homes as much as possible while we clamp down on this virus. And use the technologies that you are so good at to stay connected to our universities.
