 The announcements comes as data from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show the majority of counties
across Illinois are experiencing substantial or high COVID-19
transmission, now including Cook County. The state is taking this
action as an employer to protect its employees, but more broadly,
the CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) continue
to recommend everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, wear
a mask in public indoor setting in areas with substantial and high
transmission.
The State will continue to evaluate the need for additional
mitigations and will not hesitate to put them in place as needed to
protect the health of Illinois residents.
“Given that the majority of the state is experiencing substantial or
high COVID-19 transmission as measured by the CDC, all State of
Illinois facilities will require face coverings – regardless of
vaccination status – in line with the CDC’s current best guidance
for ending this pandemic,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Vaccines work
– but we cannot promise those protections for every single future
variant if we allow this virus to spread and mutate unchecked in our
communities. With all the misinformation out there, I encourage all
eligible Illinoisans who haven’t been vaccinated yet to talk to
their doctors to alleviate any of their fears. Vaccines are how we
put this pandemic behind us for once and for all, but I will
continue to evaluate the need for further additional mitigations.”
“The safety and well-being of State employees and residents remains
top priority for the State and this decision supports our efforts to
provide a safe environment for our workforce and the people we
serve,” said Janel L. Forde, Director, Illinois Department of
Central Management Services (CMS). “Masking up is a step that we all
can take to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help ensure that State
facilities can continue to operate safely.”
The Delta variant continues to increase in Illinois and according to
the CDC has caused more than 80% of recent COVID-19 cases and
estimates indicate it will likely cause more. Delta spreads more
easily than other variants and there is new evidence that a small
number of fully vaccinated people who may be infected with Delta may
infect others.
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“While the vaccines have been proven to be effective
against the Delta variant at preventing severe illness,
hospitalization, and death, with this new evidence of breakthrough
spread, we are adding another layer of protection for State
employees and the people we serve,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi
Ezike. “Vaccination is still the best protection against both the
older and newer variants that cause COVID-19. And until more people
get vaccinated and transmission decreases, masking will help protect
us all. IDPH continues to monitor all conditions for any additional
mitigations as the pandemic changes over time.”
State employees, regardless of their vaccination status, must (1)
wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth while in a
workplace or performing work duties in indoor settings outside of
their residence, unless they have a medical condition that prevents
them from doing so; and (2) at all times, or as much as reasonably
possible, maintain physical distancing of at least six feet from any
other person while in a workplace or performing work duties outside
of their residence.
Visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear face coverings while
inside State offices and facilities unless they are unable to
medically tolerate a face covering.
In addition, State facilities will continue to receive regular
cleaning services and all employees will be provided with cleaning
supplies to disinfect personal workspaces and other high touch
horizontal and vertical spaces.
For more information about the latest COVID-19 guidance please visit
the State’s coronavirus website at
https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/.
[Office of the Governor JB Pritzker]
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