COVID-19

COVID-19 Updates

April 3, 2020, 5 total confirmed cases in Vermilion County.

April 2, 2020, 2 additional cases of COVID -19 confirmed in Vermilion County

April 1, 2020 Vermilion County has its second confirmed COVID-19 case.

March 31, 2020, the first COVID-19 case reported in Vermilion County.  Please make sure that the information you receive and share is reliable and truthful.  We recommend going to the CDC website for the latest information and guidance.  Please see the following links for more information on personal care for COVID-19.

Who Should I Call ?
What to do if your were potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19?
What to do if you have confirmed or suspected  COVID-19?
What to do if you have symptoms of COV-19 and have not been around anyone who has been diagnosed?

March 30, 2020 Grocery Store Guidance released 

March 20, 2020, a revision to the original Order has been released.  See items below.

2. Non-essential business and operations must cease. All businesses and operations in the State, except Essential Businesses and Operations as defined below, are required to cease all activities within the State except Minimum Basic Operations, as defined For clarity, businesses may also continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own residences (i.e., working from home).

10. Essential Businesses and Operations. For the purposes of this Executive Order, Essential Businesses and Operations means Healthcare and Public Health Operations, Human Services Operations, Essential Governmental Functions, and Essential Infrastructure, and the following:¹

a. Stores that sell groceries and medicine. Grocery stores, pharmacies, certified fanners’ markets, fann and produce stands, supermarkets, convenience stores, and other establislnnents engaged in the retail sale of groceries, cairned food, dry goods, frozen foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supplies, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries, medicine, including medication not requiring a medical prescription, and also that sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and Essential Businesses and Operations;

b. Food, beverage, and cannabis production and agriculture. Food and beverage manufacturing, production, processing, and cultivation, including farming, livestock, fishing, baking, and other production agriculture, including cultivation, marketing, production, and distribution of animals and goods for consumption; licensed medical and adult use cannabis dispensaries and licensed cannabis cultivation centers; and businesses that provide food, shelter, and other necessities of life for animals, including animal shelters, rescues, shelters, ke1mels, and adoption facilities;

c.  Organizations that provide charitable and social services. Businesses and religious and secular nonprofit organizations, including food banks, when providing food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals, individuals who need assistance as a result of this emergency, and people with disabilities;

All Essential Businesses and Operations are encouraged to remain open. To the greatest extent feasible, Essential Businesses and Operations shall comply with.Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Executive Order, including by maintaining six-foot social distancing for both employees and members of the public at all times, including, but not limited to, when any customers are standing in line.

March 18, 2020, the following revisions, Enforcement of “CovE05, has been made to the Governor’s Executive Order dealing with the Enforcement of this order.  See information below.

“Please be advised that your establishment is required to adhere to this Executive Order immediately, and that these steps are necessary and proper to prevent further spreading of COVID-19.

If you do not adhere to this Executive Order, the Illinois Department of Public Health and Certified Local Health Departments have the authority to order that a place be closed and made off limits to the public “to prevent the probable spread of a dangerously contagious or infectious disease *** until such time as the condition can be corrected or the danger to the public health eliminated or reduced in such a manner that no substantial danger to the public’s health any longer exists.” 20 ILCS 2305/2(b). The process of issuing such an order is set forth in 20 ILCS 2305/3(c). Furthermore, police officers, sheriffs and all other officers in Illinois are authorized to enforce such orders.”

March 18, 2020, a “IDPH COVID-19 Interim Guidance for Food Service, has been released “to provide information on COVID-19 prevention in various food service operations and address the Governor’s Office mandate”

March 18, 2020, IDPH has released a guidance for food establishments that are completely closing and food establishments that remain open during this time period”

March 18, 2020, CDC recommending the cancellation or postponement of all gathering of 10 or people.

March 16, 2020 the Governor office issued an Illinois Executive Order in Response to COVID-19. This order declares the prohibition of the on-premise service of and the consumption of food and beverages and provides the reason for this prohibition. See detail below.

CDC currently recommends the practice of social distancing to combat the spread of this virus. Social distancing is the practice of avoiding close contact with a group of individuals for a length of time. The CDC recommends the cancellation or rescheduling of gatherings of 50 people or more.   “The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends Illinois residents avoid group dining in public settings”. The State of Illinois Executive Order states, beginning March 18, 2020, “all public and private gatherings in the State of Illinois of 50 people or more are prohibited for the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation.”

It is stated in the Illinois Executive Order that, “A public or private gathering includes community, civic, public leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions, and any similar event or activity that brings together 50 or more people in a single room or a single space at the same time. This includes venues such as fitness centers/health clubs, bowling alleys, private clubs, and theatres. This does not include venues that provide essential goods or services such as grocery stores, hospitals, pharmacies, gas stations, banks/credit unions, and shelters…”

As stated in the Illinois Executive Order, “Beginning March 16, 2020 at 9 p.m. through March 30, 2020, all businesses in the State of Illinois that offer food or beverages for on-premises consumption-including restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and food halls must suspend service for and may not permit on-premises consumption. Such businesses are permitted and encouraged to serve food and beverages so that they may be consumed off-premises, as currently permitted by law, through means such as in-house delivery, third-party delivery, drive-through, and curbside pick-up. In addition, customers may enter the premises to purchase food or beverages for carry-out. However, establishments offering food or beverages for carry-out, including food trucks, must ensure that they have an environment where patrons maintain adequate social distancing.”

The Executive Order is not restricted to only restaurant and bars. This order includes any venue in which there may be a gathering of 50 or more people at any one time.

The Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the State Fire Marshall and the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, “are all directed to cooperate with one another and to use available resources to enforce the provisions of this Executive Order”

Provided with the Executive Order the Vermilion County Health Department now has the guidance needed to better answer the questions we have been asked about how various food service establishment will be affected by this order. We will attempt to answer those questions as we are asked. As more information is provided to this department, we will post it here at this website.

March 9, 2020, Governor Pritzker issued a Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation. This proclamation allows the Governor additional executive authorities to protect public health and safety.