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* Press release…
Following guidance from the CDC that fully vaccinated people can stop wearing a mask and practicing social distancing in most indoor and outdoor settings, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health have announced that Illinois will align state executive orders with the latest CDC guidance and rescind IDPH emergency rules enforcing masking and distance.
The CDC continues to require masks for everyone in healthcare settings, in congregate settings and on transit. In addition, in line with CDC guidance, the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health require masks in schools. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services requires masks in daycare.
“Getting vaccinated is the ultimate protection from COVID-19 and the quickest ticket back to normal life,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With public health experts now saying fully vaccinated people can safely remove their masks in most settings, I’m pleased to follow the science and align Illinois’ policies with the CDC’s guidance. I also support the choice of individuals and businesses to continue to mask out of an abundance of caution as this pandemic isn’t over yet.”
“While the updated guidance from the CDC is welcome news, let me remind everyone that this guidance is only for those people who are fully vaccinated,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Individuals who do not have the protection afforded by one of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines should still wear a mask. While more than 64% of adults in Illinois have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, we need to increase that number. To slow down disease spread and the development of even more deadly variants, we need as many people as possible to be vaccinated.”
The Governor is issuing an updated executive order to remove the mask requirement for fully vaccinated people in most settings, and the Illinois Department of Public Health is rescinding emergency rules in the Control of Communicable Disease Code that enforce masking and distancing for vaccinated people in business settings. In line with CDC guidance, individuals who are unvaccinated should continue wearing masks in most settings and both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals should continue to wear masks on public transportation, in congregate facilities, and in healthcare settings.
As of today, more than 4.6 million Illinoisans are fully vaccinated — 58% of residents 16+, 64% of residents 18+ and 86% of residents 65+.
LATEST CDC GUIDANCE
The CDC still recommends that unvaccinated people continue to take preventive measures, such as wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. In their latest guidance, the CDC now reports that indoor and outdoor activities pose minimal risk to fully vaccinated people and that fully vaccinated people have a reduced risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to unvaccinated people.
Fully vaccinated people can:
• Resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance
• Resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel
• Refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States
• Refrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings
• Refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic
• Refrain from routine screening testing if feasibleFor now, fully vaccinated people should continue to:
• Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
• Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations
The new EO is here.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 17, 21 @ 2:57 pm
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Makes a sense.
I dunno why so many are confused. It’s based on science, with data from the rapid increase in those vaccinated.
The only wrench in the works is the folks who refuse to wear masks, won’t get vaccinated and could care less for other people.
Comment by Sir Reel Monday, May 17, 21 @ 3:27 pm
So……….what does this mean for the city of chicago? Specifically Health Clubs? Midtown says no more masks. Zen Garage says show proof your vaxed, no masks. Exercise nuts want to know!
Comment by DMC Monday, May 17, 21 @ 3:30 pm
How will the Governor handle educating children that are eligible for vaccine but haven’t been vaccinated?
Comment by Dr. Z Monday, May 17, 21 @ 3:50 pm
We grabbed take-out lunch and did some shopping in Champaign today. We saw no one at all without a mask in any store. Glad to see folks are still taking precautions.
Comment by MSIX Monday, May 17, 21 @ 4:13 pm
It will be up to each agency and constitutional office, but I wonder how this order will affect operations in State buildings. Especially if masking will still be enforced and if there still will be daily temperature checks. And if some buildings that have been closed to the public, but employees still coming to work, can reopen to the public again.
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, May 17, 21 @ 4:19 pm
EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham I have the same question. It also appears to be one that no one wants to answer.
Comment by NeveroddoreveN Monday, May 17, 21 @ 4:41 pm
And will state employees go back to work?
Comment by Sickntired Monday, May 17, 21 @ 4:47 pm
“And will state employees go back to work?”
Every state employee that I know never stopped going to work.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, May 17, 21 @ 5:04 pm
Remote work or work from home was implemented last March for state employees that could do their jobs without being in the office. Works well for IT workers and such that support the information systems used throughout all state agencies. Those office workers that deal directly with the public can’t work remotely.
Comment by Just A Dude Monday, May 17, 21 @ 5:11 pm
==“And will state employees go back to work?”
Every state employee that I know never stopped going to work.==
I have said it previously, but all Secretary of State employees have been entirely back in the office since last June 1, shortly after the stay at home order ended. Almost a year ago. Also looks like it is busy again in the Capitol Complex.
Other than IDES I wonder what agencies are still yet not back in person after a year?
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, May 17, 21 @ 5:21 pm
“what agencies are still yet not back in person”
IDOT. At least 1 district office has called staff back for at least 1 day per week. My bureau in the central office is still out.
In defense of state employees, we adapted, improvised, and overcame huge obstacles when we were sent home.
There was no warning about being sent home. Upper management swept into offices, handed out letters, and ordered us to leave immediately.
There was no preparation for enabling us to work from home. It took a couple of weeks for many of my co-workers to be able to log into the networks via a vpn. I was fortunate to have been issued a state laptop a few years ago.
We adapted from handling hard copy documents to electronic documents. Backlogs of work were reduced because people could work uninterrupted. Face to face meetings became telephone calls or video conferences.
Based on the last 14 months, it will be difficult to deny telecommuting requests.
Comment by Huh? Monday, May 17, 21 @ 5:58 pm
Sickntired, I’m a state employee and while I’ve been home, I have most definitely been working. While a majority of coworkers are also remote, those who were unable to fully do their jobs remotely or those who were not productive, (either because of internet, equipment, or motivational issues) have been back in the office for quite some time.
Comment by AtHomeWorking Monday, May 17, 21 @ 10:39 pm