The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

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Shelter-in-place order rescinded as state order goes into affect

Village to defer to state; will suspend local shelter-in-place order
The Village of Oak Park will defer to the state now that the Governor has issued a stay-at-home order to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

As the state order goes into effect at 5 p.m. today, the local shelter-in-place order will be rescinded in support of uniform criteria and enforcement across Illinois.

The state order is very similar to the local order issued on March 18 by the Oak Park Health Department. People will not be prohibited from completing essential tasks, like grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions or visiting a medical care provider.

Essential businesses will be allowed to remain open, including auto repair businesses, banks, grocery stores and restaurants that are providing food for delivery or carry out. When the state order goes into effect, Oak Park will exclusively follow state guidelines for enforcement. Click here to read the state’s answers to frequently asked questions…

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March 20, 2020 – Oak Park’s shelter-in-place order is in effect through Fri., April 3 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The order does not mean residents must lock themselves indoors, public health officials say, but everyone is required to practice social distancing and avoid as much person-to-person contact as possible.

Perhaps better described in non-legal terms as an order to stay home, travel has not been banned and Oak Park Police will not be stopping motorists at the border.

“We know this emergency order will require residents and businesses to make sacrifices, but slowing the spread of this virus will truly take a community effort in Oak Park and beyond," said Oak Park Health Director Mike Charley. "Oak Parkers’ willingness to lead the regional effort by taking these measures seriously is truly appreciated.”

If one’s business or place of employment is still open, you can go to work. You do not need a work pass or other document from the Village.

The order also does not prohibit people from completing essential tasks, like grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions or visiting a medical care provider for you or your pet.

Residents also may exercise outdoors and walk their pets, but they should practice social distancing and limit exposure to others.

Essential businesses are allowed to remain open, including auto repair businesses, banks, grocery stores and even restaurants that are providing food for delivery or carry out.

Moving in or out of a residence is okay, too. This is considered an essential activity.

Any non-essential business not complying with the shelter-in-place order will be contacted by Village staff and a process established for compliance within one day. Repeated communications and failure to comply may result in an official order by the Public Health Director to close.

Since no vaccine or medications are approved to treat the highly contagious COVID-19 coronavirus, limiting the chances of coming into contact with the virus remains the most important steps to take.

This advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes washing your hands often, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and keeping your distance from others.

Residents may read the official shelter-in-place order online at www.oak-park.us/covid19 where links to other news and informationare posted. The document also is available via Google – just click here. A list of exemptions can be found starting on the bottom of page 3 in section 10.

For the latest news on prevention, visit coronavirus.gov.