Dear Chicago Residents and Partners, The StateтАЩs order for Illinois residents to stay home will take effect today, March 21 at 5 p.m., and will remain in place until the GovernorтАЩs Disaster Proclamation expires on April 7, 2020. This critical intervention to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is intended to keep the public safe, contain the spread of the virus, and provide relief to the healthcare system. Moving right now to maximize social distancing and restrict people gathering is the best way to fight the virus and save lives. To ensure the protection of all residents during this unprecedented public health challenge, the StateтАЩs order requires all residents to stay at home. This means that you will no longer be able to engage in public or private group activities, participate in social activities at bars or nightclubs, or take unnecessary trips. The order also closes non-essential businesses from any activity except minimum basic operations, which includes activities to preserve inventory, process payroll, or facilitate working from home. With the order in place, you can still fulfill all of your essential needs, including travelling to obtain necessary supplies like food, pet supplies, medicine, or take-out food, as well as attending medical or mental health appointments. The order does not interfere with the operation of essential businesses. Hospitals, banks, grocery stores, utility companies, and home-based care services for seniors and people with disabilities will remain open to ensure all residents, including the most vulnerable populations, will have continued access to care and essential services. We know that a lot of questions still remain. You can find answers to the most frequently asked questions on this stay-at-home order at chicago.gov/coronavirus. The website also offers many resources for residents and families in need of food, housing or health care, as well as employment and financial support resources for workers and small business owners. In our city, we protect each other and look out for everyoneтАЩs health. So lay low, Chicago. Together, we will get through this. WhatтАЩs New As part of an effort to ensure the health and safety of ChicagoтАЩs residents and City employees, and to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 virus,┬аCity Hall┬аis┬аclosed┬аto┬аthe general public, effective Friday, March 20 and until an announcement to resume normal operations is made.┬аEmployees with proper identification are still permitted to access their respective floors in the building. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued citywide guidance around social distancing requirements, which┬аare now in place┬аfor its own services. Effective this week,┬аCDPH┬аhas suspended┬аin-person services┬аwhere possible,┬аand is getting┬аcreative by using technology to better serve clients during this time. A full list of service┬аupdates┬аcan be found at┬аchicago.gov/health. All┬аparks┬аin the┬аCity of Chicago are closed┬аeffective March 20 at┬а5 p.m.┬аBeginning Monday, March┬а23, the District will cancel enhanced programming currently offered at 18 park fieldhouses. The Chicago Park District will continue to provide critical operations including garbage pick-up and security. All Chicago Public Library (CPL)┬аbranches will close to the public┬аeffective March 21 at┬аnoon. Book drops will be locked at all locations during this period. CPL┬аhad┬аalready stopped charging┬аoverdue fines, and effective today library card holders with suspensions on their accounts because of over $30 of fees from items marked as тАЬlostтАЭ will be able to check out online materials at┬аchipublib.org┬аonce again. During this time, materials will automatically renew and accounts will not be blocked. The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) continues to work closely with community partners to serve ChicagoтАЩs most vulnerable residents.┬аAll DFSS administered┬аSenior Centers at non-Park District locations will remain open for one more week┬аto provide pick-up meals, closing by March 27. Latest Guidance Chicago Stay at Home Order Frequently Asked Questions┬атАУ┬аNew! Older Adults and Other People at Higher Risk Homeless Shelters┬атАУ┬аNew! COVID-19 Screening Tool┬атАУ┬аNew! Food Service Travelers Pregnant Women and Children Childcare Programs┬а(Spanish) Schools and Institutions of Higher Education Businesses and Employers Faith-based┬аOrganizations┬атАУ┬аNew! Healthcare Professionals First Responders City of Chicago Employees Additional Resources: Get the Facts: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)┬а(English,┬аSpanish) What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms┬а(English,┬аSpanish,┬аPolish) тАУ┬аNew! What to do if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 What to do if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 What to do if you donтАЩt have health insurance Tips on Managing Anxiety about COVID-19 Tips For Keeping Chicago Healthy Stay home as much as possible. Call to check on family, neighbors, and older adults instead of visiting. Check with your doctor about telehealth options.
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