Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected on Thursday to announce an extension to the state’s stay-at-home order along with a face mask requirement, reports say.
NBC Chicago reported that sources said Pritzker will make the announcement at his daily press conference. The order could be extended through May 30, NBC reported.
The order will also include a new requirement that residents must cover their faces in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Pritzker has strongly hinted that the order would be extended.
During his press conference Tuesday afternoon, Pritzker was asked if he would follow states like Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee in reopening most businesses.
“I have ruled out what they’re doing in Georgia, and I’m not sure about the other states, but if they’re all doing the same thing, which is essentially opening everything up, yes I have ruled that out for the time being,” Pritzker said.
“In order for us to truly open things back up, we need tracing, testing, a treatment available, and widespread availability of PPE,” he added.
“Remember, Illinois is not even close to its peak. We’re weeks away now. You won’t even know you hit the peak until you’re on the other side of it,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker also said that he would be making some changes to the stay-at-home order as well. It is not yet clear what changes will be made.
Illinois has 35,108 positive cases and 1,565 deaths as of Wednesday, state data shows.