Chicago issues ‘Stay-at-Home Advisory’

A citywide Stay-at-Home Advisory is being described as the “key pillar” of a new plan to keep Chicagoans safe. According to a press release from Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), it applies to everything except work, school, and essential needs.

But that’s not all.

The advisory is just one part of a larger Protect Chicago strategy that “calls on all Chicagoans to change their behavior through targeted regulations, strong messaging, and a community-based outreach.”

“Chicago has reached a critical point in the second surge of COVID-19, demanding that we undertake this multi-faceted and comprehensive effort to stop the virus in its tracks,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “The gains we have made this past year have been the result of our willingness to work together. Even in this difficult moment, we will continue to unite as we always have.”

If residents do not follow the plan, “the city is on track to lose 1,000 more Chicagoans by the end of the year or even more,” according to the release.

The strategy will go into effect on Monday, November 16, 2020, at 6:00 a.m., and include the following guidelines:

• Only leave home to go to work or school, or for essential needs such as seeking medical care, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, picking up take-out food, or receiving deliveries. If you do leave home, practice social distancing by staying 6 feet away from others and wearing a face covering at all times.

• Do not have gatherings in your home with anybody outside of your household (except for essential staff such as home health care workers or educators), even with trusted family or friends.

• Avoid all non-essential, out-of-state travel; if travel is essential, quarantining or testing negative prior to travel is required, depending on which state a traveler is originating from. 

• Comply with City and State Orders, including wearing face coverings, limiting gatherings, and mandating early closure of non-essential businesses at 11 p.m.

• Practice social distancing and avoid touching surfaces frequently touched by others if you go outside to get fresh air.

• Use remote modes of communication like phone or video chat instead of visiting friends or family, especially on holidays such as Thanksgiving.

At the same time, the city will begin “imposing new restrictions to limit meetings and social events to 10 individuals (both indoors and outdoors),” the release continued.

To read the full release, click on this.