Illinois has joined New York and California in ordering its residents to stay at home as officials try to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Friday that the shelter-in-place directive will go into effect on Saturday. Residents can still go to the grocery stores and pharmacies, get gas, and take a walk outside, he said at a news conference.
“For the vast majority of you already taking precautions, your lives will not change very much,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker also postponed the reopening of schools to April 8. Schools were slated to reopen at the end of March.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot urged residents to follow the order.
“You must stay home,” she said. “This is not a lockdown or martial law.”
“This is clearly not a decision that was made lightly, nor by one person,” she said. “These are choices that must be made for the good of all residents.”
Lightfoot also said residents should keep others in mind when grocery shopping.
“Be mindful of your neighbors and do not hoard supplies,” she said.
