Regardless of a person’s vaccination, everyone ages 2 and up, will have to wear a mask indoors starting Monday, August 30th. Gov. JB Pritzker made an announcement last week stating that the mask mandate is based on the number of ICU and hospital beds available.

In downstate Illinois, the average availability for ICU beds was just three percent. Governor Pritzker also mandated that teachers, healthcare, and daycare workers need to get their vaccine or get regular COVID tests.

Individuals who are working in a vaccine-required setting, who are unable or unwilling to get vaccinated will be required to get tested at least once a week starting September 5th. In the case of another outbreak, more testing may be required, Gov. Pritzker said. He also stated that for now, he is not considering capacity limits for businesses.