 This change goes into effect Friday and is made on
the advice of medical experts, based on their careful consideration
of the current conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and is in line
with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance.
“Vaccination continues to be the most effective tool we have against
COVID-19, and I’m proud that millions of Illinoisans have taken
advantage of these life-saving vaccines – they have given us the
ability to adjust these requirements,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I
continue to urge everyone in the state to stay up to date on
vaccines and boosters, including getting the recently released
bivalent booster shot. Although the current state of the pandemic is
very different than it was two years ago, we still need to protect
the most vulnerable members of our community as we continue to be
responsive to the changing challenges and evolutions of this virus.”
“As our approach to the pandemic continues to evolve, we are easing
some COVID-19 restrictions in our schools and daycare centers,” said
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Sameer
Vohra. “It remains our continued goal to address the health risks of
COVID-19, but current conditions of the pandemic are different from
those of the last two years. There are now many tools available for
protecting our students, teachers and the general public, including
the latest updated bivalent vaccines and effective treatment options
for children and adults. It continues to be important to remain home
if you have COVID-19 symptoms, per CDC recommendations. Broad access
to COVID-19 testing will remain a critical part of our strategy. To
ensure ready access to testing, IDPH has offered one million rapid
COVID-19 tests to schools for use by students and staff at home.”
The CDC no longer requires routine testing in schools or childcare
settings regardless of the vaccination status of the staff member.
However, they continue to recommend schools and other congregate
educational settings consider instituting testing at times of high
risk in the community, such as upon return from breaks or after
large indoor events. Illinois schools and childcare centers are
urged to consider these suggestions when planning testing and
prevention strategies.
Free and accessible testing options are widely available to school
staff. IDPH made 1 million free rapid tests available to schools
earlier this year. 160 school districts have opted into the SHIELD
testing program, performing regular surveillance testing for schools
at no cost to the district. Almost 50,000 tests have been performed
by SHIELD since the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.
[to top of second column] |
Vaccines continue to be the strongest protection
against COVID-19 for all ages. Students, teachers, and staff are all
strongly encouraged to stay up to date on vaccines and boosters to
prevent serious illness and even death. Information on finding
vaccines and booster shots can be found at www.vaccines.gov.
“We have said all along that we should be following the science.
Unlike earlier in the pandemic, we now have vaccines, vaccines to
combat the newest variants, treatments and our hospitals are no
longer overloaded,” said Illinois Education Association President
Kathi Griffin. “Because of all of this, we agree with the governor’s
decision to lift the vaccine or test mandate. The safety of
students, and all those who work with them in our schools across the
state, has always been our number one concern. We are glad to see so
many smiling faces as we begin the 2022-23 school year.”
“Throughout the pandemic, Governor Pritzker has made the tough
decisions necessary to keep all Illinoisans healthy and safe,” said
Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery. “By
extending the emergency proclamation and eliminating the “vaccine or
test” mandate, he is continuing to prioritize safety while ensuring
our state adapts to changing circumstances and continues down the
road to recovery.”
“Educators across Illinois have spent the past two years
prioritizing students’ learning and well-being. Their dedication
brought students safely back to the classroom,” said State
Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala. “With the knowledge
and insights we have gained about COVID-19 and how to prevent its
spread, Illinois can now safely lift the requirement for school
personnel to be vaccinated or tested weekly. We are so grateful to
reach yet another milestone in pandemic recovery and thank all of
our educators, administrators, and other school personnel for the
vital role they continue to play in keeping our communities safe.”
[Office of the Governor JB Pritzker] |
