Oak Lawn Mayor's Face-Covering Order: What You Need To Know
OAK LAWN, IL — New details have emerged of an executive order signed by the Mayor Sandra Bury requiring residents and employees of essential businesses to start wearing masks or face coverings to slow the spread of coronavirus. The order officially takes effect at 8 a.m. Friday, April 24.
Visitors and employees of such establishments as grocery stores, pharmacies or drug stores, convenience stores, gas stations and other businesses defined as an “essential” in the governor’s executive order will wear face coverings as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Oak Lawn joins the growing number of cities, towns, counties and states across the nation that have taken the CDC’s recommendation to wear a face covering in public one step further. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has hinted that he may require Illinoisans to wear face coverings as he and other governors in the Midwest ponder reopening their economies. Tinley Park and Evanston also have face covering orders that go in effect on Friday.
Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.
As of Tuesday, there are currently 203 cases in Oak Lawn, a vast number at Advocate Christ Medical Center, which reports confirmed COVID-19 cases to the Cook County and state health departments.
The CDC recently changed its stand on nonmedical masks, urging the public to wear face coverings as a health measure. While homemade face masks and coverings may not prevent someone from contracting coronavirus, they are thought to block larger particles from the coughs, sneezes or saliva of asymptomatic people. Wearing a nonmedical covering is to protect others from mask-wearing asymptomatic people who may be shedding virus.
The decree requires employers or operators of essential businesses to provide cloth face coverings or masks, at their own expense, for their employees. Employers are required to enforce their employees compliance with the order. Business operators must also post a notice in a conspicuous place making visitors aware they are in violation of the order if not wearing a face covering.
Should a visitor at an essential business refuse to leave the premises or comply with the order by putting on a face covering, the business owner or operator has the authority to call the Oak Lawn Police Department. People in violation will be issued a warning by police; a second offense may result in a citation or arrest.
Masks are NOT required to be worn when:
Riding alone in a personal vehicle
Engaged in an outdoor activity, such as running, walking, biking or other solitary activity while practicing social distancing
In your yard alone or with members of your household
Medical-grade and N95 respirators are not recommended for use by the public under the order, and should be reserved for use by health care workers and first responders.
More on Patch:
Coronavirus Won't Peak Until Mid-May: Pritzker
Bury Will Sign Order Requiring Face Masks To Combat Coronavirus
Pritzker 'Optimism' About Coronavirus Testing Was Never Realistic
This article originally appeared on the Oak Lawn Patch
