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 This guidance comes as Illinois has recently
reached a test positivity rate of less than 2 percent, more than
half of the population has been fully vaccinated, and key
hospitalization metrics have been declining since early May.
“After a tremendously challenging year, Illinois has now reached a
defining moment in our efforts to defeat COVID-19,” said Governor JB
Pritzker. “Thanks to the hard work of residents across the state,
Illinois will soon resume life as we knew it before – returning to
events, gatherings, and a fully reopened economy, with some of the
safety guidelines we’ve adopted still in place. As we fully reopen,
this administration remains laser focused on ensuring a strong
recovery for our small businesses and communities. Our FY22 budget
invests $1.5 billion in small business relief, tourism, job-creating
capital projects and more and we look forward to getting these
dollars to communities across our state as quickly as possible.”
Upon entering Phase 5, fully vaccinated people can resume activities
without wearing a mask except where required by federal, state,
local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including
local business and workplace guidance. The State will continue to
recommend masking for unvaccinated persons, and require it for all
people while traveling on public transportation, in congregate
settings, in health care settings, as well as in schools, day cares,
and educational institutions pursuant to the Illinois Department of
Public Health (IDPH) and CDC guidance. Businesses and local
municipalities can put in place additional mitigations as they deem
appropriate.
Under Phase 5, all sectors of the economy can resume at regular
capacity. Phase 5 also marks the return of traditional conventions,
festivals, and large events without capacity restrictions. Large
gatherings of all sizes can resume across all industry settings, and
Phase 5 removes requirements that businesses institute mandatory
social distancing in seated venues as well as daily health
screenings of employees and visitors. Businesses and venues should
continue to allow for social distancing to the extent possible,
especially indoors. Businesses and venues may also continue to put
in place additional public health mitigations as they deem
appropriate, including requiring face coverings.
“This pandemic has robbed us of many of our freedoms such as going
to ball games and concerts, celebrating graduations, weddings, and
birthdays, going to dinner with friends, and even sharing a hug with
loved ones we don’t live with,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.
“The vaccine is giving us our freedoms back and allowing us to move
to Phase 5. Let’s keep the vaccination momentum going so we can put
this pandemic in the rearview mirror and not look back.”
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While the entry to Phase 5 signals an end to business
and activity specific guidance requiring social distancing, health
screening and other required operational shifts, Illinois will
continue to recommend face coverings for unvaccinated persons, as
well as all individuals while (1) on planes, buses, trains, and
other forms of public transportation and in transportation hubs,
such as airports and train and bus stations; (2) in congregate
facilities such as correctional facilities, veterans’ homes, and
long-term care facilities, group homes, and residential facilities;
and (3) in healthcare settings.
In addition, the guidance for schools is updated to
align with the CDC guidelines, including lifting the requirement for
individuals to mask outdoors in most situations.
The State’s advancement to Phase 5 builds on last month’s
announcement of the return of conventions and leisure travel to the
state. Just last week McCormick Place announced its plans to
re-open, bringing 122 events, 1,000 workers and an expected 1.9
million convention goers to their halls. Additionally, the State has
recently launched a new tourism campaign to welcome out of state
visitors back into communities, helping support a return to leisure
activity as well as the important economic activity stimulated by
Illinois’ iconic attractions, hotels and tourism businesses.
“The State’s move to Phase 5 next week marks a
significant milestone in our efforts to bring businesses and workers
back safely and will play a key role in getting the economy back on
track,” said DCEO Acting Director Sylvia Garcia. “Under Governor
Pritzker’s leadership, we are making steady progress in stabilizing
our businesses and communities hit hardest during the course of the
pandemic. New investments in the Governor’s budget will ensure that
the state continues to play a vital role in aiding in the emergency
response, while laying the groundwork for a sustained economic
recovery.”
Earlier this week the Governor announced another $1.5 billion in
funds to be made available through the FY 22 budget to support
business grants, tourism recovery, workforce recovery, affordable
housing, violence prevention, capital projects, and other
investments throughout Illinois communities. This builds on the
State’s record $580 million investment last year to deliver
thousands of business grants through the Business Interruption
Grants program, which provided emergency relief dollars to business
grants and childcare providers in over 98 counties statewide.
Businesses and communities can learn more about Phase 5 recommended
public health practices by visiting IDPH’s website.
[Office of the Governor JB Pritzker] |
