State ready to reopen, but don't throw away that mask just yet

Jacksonville Journal-Courier - 6/6/2021

Jun. 5—The state is issuing guidelines for reopening next week, more than 14 months after Gov. J.B. Pritzker first issued pandemic restrictions for the state.

Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan goes into effect on Friday, marking a full reopening of businesses and activities.

The Illinois Department of Public Health said the move comes as Illinois recently reached a test positivity rate of less than 2%, more than half of the population has been fully vaccinated, and key hospitalization metrics have been declining since early May.

"This pandemic has robbed us of many freedoms, such as going to ballgames 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," Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said. "The vaccine is giving us our freedoms back and allowing us to move to Phase 5."

All sectors of the economy will be allowed to resume operations at regular capacity. It also will mark the return of traditional festivals, conventions and large events without capacity restrictions.

Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask — except where required by law. Health officials continue to recommend mask use for those who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, and while using mass transportation, in medical settings, in schools and day care centers, and in educational institutions.

In addition, the guidance for schools was updated in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control, including lifting the requirement for students to wear masks outdoors in most situations.

Total cases in west-central Illinois counties as of Friday, according to individual county health departments, and vaccination rates, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, were:

Brown County

724 total, 713 recovered, seven deaths

One new case.

Fully vaccinated: 23.69%; 65 or older: 75.25%

Cass County

2,035 total, 1,981 recovered, 35 deaths

12 new cases this week.

Fully vaccinated: 37.44%; 65 or older: 76.14%

Greene County

1,446 total, 1,391 recovered, 48 deaths

Five new cases this week.

Fully vaccinated: 26.73%; 65 or older: 60.41%