Gov. Pritzker announces end to indoor mask mandate; PCHD, CDC encourage continued precautions

By Editor | February 15, 2022 |

By DAVID CAMPHOUSE

With statewide COVID-19 hospitalization rates declining faster than any other point in the pandemic, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has announced that the state is on track to lift its indoor mask requirement on Monday, Feb. 28.

Under the newly announced rules, while residents will no longer be required to wear masks in many indoor settings, mask requirements will continue where federally mandated, such as on public transit and in high-risk settings including healthcare facilities and congregate care. Masking requirements will also continue to apply in all daycare settings. In addition, the state intends to continue masking requirements in PreK-12 schools subject to pending litigation which impacts a number of schools. As the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reaffirmed last week, masks remain a critical tool to keep schools safe and open.

Pike County Health Department (PCHD) Director of Nursing Sharon Bargmann echoed the CDC’s recommendations and encouraged the continued usage of effective masks to reduce the spread of the virus.

“Just because there aren’t state mask mandates doesn’t mean that the CDC doesn’t recommend wearing a mask,” Bargmann said. “They suggest a well-fitting mask be worn by anyone over the age of two, and it needs to be over your mouth and nose.”

Part of the rationale in lifting the mask mandate, according to a release from the Governor’s Office, is that Illinois has a relatively high vaccination rate compared to neighboring states – with over 21.4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered to Illinois residents. Per CDC statistics, Illinois leads the Midwest in people who have received at least one shot, with 75.7 pecent of people having received their first dose. Illinois also has the most fully vaccinated 17-and-under population in the region, though across the nation, youth vaccination rates continue to trail adult rates.

“We are now seeing the fastest rate of decline in our COVID-19 hospitalization metrics since the pandemic began. If these trends continue — and we expect them to —then on Monday, February 28th, we will lift the indoor mask requirement for the State of Illinois,” Governor JB Pritzker said in a release. “I want to be clear: Many local jurisdictions, businesses and organizations have their own mask requirements and other mitigations that must be respected.

Throughout this pandemic, we’ve deployed the tools available to us as needed. Our approach has saved lives and kept our economy open and growing.”
While the state trends reported by the Governor’s office and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) look promising, Bargmann cautioned local data still shows that COVID-19 is spreading readily throughout Pike County.

“We’re still at substantial or high community transmission levels,” Bargmann said. “We’re still there. We’re still in the middle of a pandemic.”
While the virus is still spreading through many communities, the Governor’s Office and IDPH stated that the end to the mask mandate was prompted, in large part, by a rising statewide availability of ICU beds.

IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, like Bargmann, said that masks continued to be recommended in many indoor settings to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, especially for those residents who may be immunocompromised.

“While masks will no longer be required in most indoor locations beginning February 28, they are still recommended,” Ezike said. “Masks offer a layer of protection and for people who have an underlying health condition or who are around those who do, you may choose to continue wearing a mask. Similarly, if you find yourself in a crowded, indoor setting, a mask can still help protect you. We will continue to recommend masks.”

Bargmann said that, while she is vaccinated and boosted, she will continue to wear a mask to protect older relatives, who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
“I’ll wear a mask regardless, because of my elderly parents,” Bargmann said.

Under the newly announced rules, Illinoisans can resume activities without wearing a mask indoors on Feb. 28 except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

Federal requirements, in effect through at least March 18, include all transportation systems such as airports, planes, trains, and buses.

Illinois will continue to require masks in the following settings:
■ Healthcare Settings: Continue mask requirement
■ Long Term Care Facilities: Continue mask requirement
■ Congregate Settings (prisons, shelters, etc.): Continue mask requirement
■ Transportation: Follow federal guidelines
■ Daycare: Follow Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) guidelines

Municipalities and businesses in most industries may choose to continue to implement more strict public health mitigations as they deem appropriate, including requiring masks.

Masks will continue to be required in PreK-12 school settings, unless pending litigation impacts a school.

PCHD reports faster COVID-19 test results

On Jan. 31, Pike County Health Department (PCHD) released a statement regarding the delay in receiving testing results through our free community COVID-19 testing. PCHD now reports that test results are now being reported in approximately 48 hours.

There will be no testing at PCHD on Monday, Feb. 21, as PCHD will be closed for President’s Day. Beginning Feb. 22, PCHD testing hours of operation will change to Monday – Thursday from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Anyone wishing to be tested for COVID-19 can come to the health department and park in the designated location, call the number on the sign, and a health department staff member will come out to your vehicle to administer the test. Residents are directed to not enter the health department building for their tests. If a resident does not have a phone, they are directed to pull up to the designated parking area and honk their horn.

If anyone needing testing cannot come during the designated hours, they should call PCHD at 217-285-4407 and arrangements can be made.