The reason for the end to the indoor mask mandate is because of declining COVID-19 hospitalization rates, Gov. Pritzker said.
Federal regulations mean masks must still be worn in airports, on airplanes and while using public transportation until at least Friday, Mar. 18. "As we all know, we are now into year three with COVID and it has been a roller coaster ride that no one asked to get on," said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director, Illinois Department of Public Health. "Be clear that COVID is not gone and it won’t be gone on February 28th so we are going to continue to find ways to live with the virus.
Following Pritzker’s announcement, the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health stated that they too will ease masking requirements – if there continues to be a decline in COVID metrics."If we as a City continue to see declines in these leading COVID metrics, we too should be in a position to lift restrictions at that time.
"The Cook County Department of Public Health anticipates that if key metrics continue to improve through February, the CCDPH vaccination and masking order for suburban Cook County can be lifted consistent with the Governor’s time frame. School masking may continue to be required for all school staff, and for all students not named in the current suit."
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sources: Pritzker to Announce Phased Removal of Illinois' Indoor Mask MandateAs coronavirus case rates and hospitalizations continue to plummet, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to unveil a plan Wednesday to drop the state’s indoor mask mandate, sources tell NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern.
Read more »
Pritzker to Announce Plan Wednesday to Phase Out Illinois' Indoor Mask Mandate, Sources SayIllinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to unveil a plan Wednesday to drop the state’s indoor mask mandate over the course of several weeks, sources tell NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern, as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue a downward trend.
Read more »
Gov. JB Pritzker To Lift Illinois' Indoor Mask Mandate On Feb. 28, But Says 'Schools Need A Little More Time'Gov. Pritzker intends to lift the state's indoor mask mandate for most places by Feb. 28, but to keep the mask mandate for schools in place for 'weeks hence.'
Read more »
Pandemic endgame: As Illinois aims to ease masking restrictions, experts weigh in on the right time to return to normalcyAs Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday announced plans to lift most state indoor masking requirements by the end of the month, medical experts and Illinois residents remained divided.
Read more »
Chicago mask mandate, proof of vaccine requirement to lift at same time as stateChicago health officials said they anticipate that the city's proof of vaccine requirement and indoor mask mandate will lift around the same time as the state's mandate ends.
Read more »