IL COVID-19 Update #13

A few moments ago, Governor JB Pritzker completed his daily briefing and was joined by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. What follows is information on the Governor’s Briefing, Food Safety, Personal Protective Equipment, IRMA, Senior Hours, and Business Day 2020.

GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING
Governor Pritzker has issued a stay-at-home order for the State of Illinois commencing at 5:00 p.m. (CST) tomorrow, Saturday, March 21st thru Tuesday, April 7th. You may view the Governor’s Executive Order here. IRMA will have a detailed analysis shortly.The Governor noted examples of what would stay the same: people can leave their homes to go to get food, medicine, healthcare, motor fuel, run/walk, many will go to work, pick up dinner from their favorite restaurant, etc. but everyone needs to practice social-distancing and hygiene. The Governor highlighted there is no need to hoard or rush to the store. Most lives will not change much.  Safe daycare will be assured. Nothing about this order in anyway impedes the supply chain.

All non-essential work must stop. If you can work from home, now is time to do so.It is a very well-conceived Executive Order that strikes a difficult balance in the midst of an inconceivable situation. IRMA would like to thank the Governor for his consideration and consultation as well as that of his senior staff.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who joined the Governor, encouraged everyone to think of this as ‘safer at home’. The Mayor reiterated there is no need to change your normal shopping patterns and that stores would remain open and citizens would be able to shop as they need. Mayor Lightfoot ordered all parks and libraries closed. IRMA would also thank the Mayor for her leadership and the cooperation and interaction of her staff.

FOOD SAFETY
The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued guidance to local health departments and food service entities regarding changes to food service as a result of COVID-19. In short, customer self-serve items are no longer allowed (see Q&A 12) but self-service beverage dispensers are allowed (see Q&A 17). However, if customers bring their own beverage containers, the stores must ensure the container is clean. IRMA members can view the guidance here.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
The State of Illinois is looking for information as to PPE that is available and not in use. Below is a list of equipment of specific interest:

• N95 masks
• surgical masks
• surgical gloves
• goggles
• face shields
• gowns
• PAPrs (powered air purifying respirators)
• respirators

If you have available stocks, no matter how small, you can either contact IRMA with the information or the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) directly. If you contact IEMA directly, contact Scott Gauvin, Manager of Strategic Operations and Preparedness, IEMA scott.gauvin@illinois.gov

IRMA
IRMA staff will be available to you, the members, throughout the course of this pandemic. Below is contact information. I would encourage you to use text and email first. Additionally, for non-urgent matters, if you leave a message on our office phones, the system will notify us of a voicemail via email. We will contact you promptly.

SENIOR HOURS AT GROCERY STORES
If you have not already done so, please go to www.irma.org and let us know if your store is offering hours. You can email us from the link on the webpage and we will add your store(s).

BUSINESS DAY 2020 CANCELLED
Business Day 2020 has been cancelled. IRMA members and co-hosts received notification of this via email this morning. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Springfield in 2021!