Today Governor Pritzker announced a “Stay in Home” order restricting all residents to their homes, with few exceptions.The order will be effective March 21st at 5pm and last until at least until the evening of April 7.

The order allows residents to leave their homes for limited purposes, such as to go to the grocery store or the pharmacy, or to go for a solitary walk or run. It also allows people to leave their homes to care for a family member or a vulnerable person in another household. I have provided a full breakdown below. 

People will also be allowed to travel if they work for “essential businesses,”  a list ranging from gas stations to laundromats to news organizations. Emergency services and public transportation will also remain open. 

Specifically for iBIO’s members and the Illinois life sciences community, it is important that our commitment to the patients we serve is not interrupted. iBIO has worked with the Governor’s office to ensure that our members have the freedom to operate. The order allows for the work travel of people involved in “health care operations,” and is broadly construed to avoid any impacts to the delivery of healthcare, broadly defined.

This is an unprecedented time, but we have the ability to come together as a community to ensure our commitment to patients is maintained. iBIO is here to provide resources and services to our community.

Here is a breakdown of what is allowed and not allowed under the Shelter in Place. 

Activities:

  • Engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets), such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home.
  • Care for a family member or pet in another household.
  • Obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, groceries and food, household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.
  • Engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, or running.
  • Perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order, including Minimum Basic Operations.

Essential Businesses:

  • Healthcare operations, Human Service Operations, and Essential Infrastructure. (This includes companies and institutions involved in the research and development, manufacture, distribution, warehousing, and supplying of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology therapies, consumer health products, medical devices, diagnostics, equipment and any related and/or ancillary services.)
  • Establishments engaged in the retail sale of groceries an other household consumers products. (grocery stores, certified farmers markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convinced stores)
  • Food cultivation (farming, livestock and fishing)
  • Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals and people with disabilities
  • Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services
  • Banks, financial markets, and related financial institutions
  • Hardware Stores
  • Service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses (plumbers, electricians, exterminators, etc)
  • Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
  • Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for takeout, delivery, carry out, and drive thru.  Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this order on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and takeaway basis only.
  • Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home
  • Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate, including computers, telecommunications equipment, audio and video electronics, household appliances; IT and telecommunication equipment; hardware, paint, flat glass; electrical, plumbing and heating material; sanitary equipment; personal hygiene products, medication not requiring a medical prescription; medical and orthopedic equipment; optics and photography equipment; and soaps and detergent
  • Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences
  • Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for Essential Activities and other purposes expressly authorized in this order
  • Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children – including caregivers like nannies who may travel to the child’s home to provide care
  • Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, children, and people with disabilities
  • Professional services, such as legal or accounting services and insurance services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities;
  • Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this Order to work as permitted, including day care centers granted a temporary license pursuant to Title 89, Section 407.400 of the Illinois Administrative Code, governing Emergency Child Care Programs for children of employees exempted by this Order
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