ILLINOIS — As of Monday March 16 closing time Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered all bars and restaurants to shut their doors to dine-in traffic, only allowing delivery and pick-up for those who may want to grab a bite to eat. More important, so businesses can still keep their doors open.
On Sunday afternoon Pritzker said in a press conference that all dine-in bars and restaurants will be closed Monday night to prevent the spread of coronavirus. All bars and restaurants must close at the end of business Monday and remain closed through March 30.
“I know how difficult this will be on small businesses around the state,” he said.
Pritzker’s comments come only two days after he ordered all schools in Illinois, both public and private, to close until March 30. The previous day, he ordered all events with more than 1,000 people to be canceled and encouraged events with at least 250 people not to go forward.
Delivery and pick-up will be available.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover.
Currently, IDPH is reporting 93 cases in 13 counties in Illinois.
The worldwide outbreak has affected more than 156,000 people with more than 5,800 dead. The death toll in the United States is 61.
