Governor’s Office Daily COVID-19 Q & A
April 23, 2020
Local Use of Coronavirus Relief Funds
Q: How are the $4-$5 billion coming from the federal funds being dispersed to municipalities. Have cities been provided guidance on what they should expect?
A: On April 22, 2020 the federal government issued Coronavirus Relief Fund Guidance for State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Governments. The guidance lays out the Department of the Treasury’s interpretation of the limitations on the permissible use of Fund payments. A FAQ document is available here https://garretgraves.house.gov/sites/garretgraves.house.gov/files/state-local-tribes.pdf.
Essential Businesses
Q: Are non-essential businesses allowed to offer curbside pickup to customers?
A: On May 1st, retail stores not designated as essential businesses and operations may re-open to fulfill telephone and online orders through pick-up outside the store and delivery. Please review this document detailing essential and non-essential businesses https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/Documents/Essential%20Business%20FAQ.pdf.
Q: Clarification is needed regarding Garden Centers. Some local health departments are seeing it as an essential business since they provide food for people to grow, other areas are not seeing it that way. Please clarify for garden centers – are they able to be open to the public for walk through service?
A: Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries may re-open as essential businesses on May 1. These stores must follow social distancing requirements and must require that employees and customers wear a face covering. Until that time, garden centers must continue to fulfill online and phone orders and sell products for delivery or pick-up.
Pet Wellness
Q: May a horse that is boarded at a facility separate from where the owner lives be visited by the owner of said horse? Can they ride the horse for exercise?
A: Yes. Horses need exercise and to be “worked out” to keep their muscle. Minimum activity, such as riding the horses, is allowed. However, the stables should not be open as a business for sales or recreational purposes.
Q: Many individuals, especially senior citizens, have expressed concern that without access to even basic grooming services for their pets, the health of the pets could be in jeopardy. Some skin issues need the expertise of professional grooming services. Is there any way to reconsider the ban on grooming services?
A: Animal grooming services may re-open on May 1st. Groomers must have measures in place to ensure proper social distancing, such as setting appointments such that only one pet owner would be dropping off or picking up at a time. Employers must require that employees and customers wear a face covering.County Fairs
Q: Has there been guidance issued for county fairs? Whether or not to proceed?
A: The administration continues to evaluate the situation and will make decisions based on Centers for Disease and Prevention Control (CDC) and Illinois Department of Public Health (DPH) guidelines to ensure the safety of Illinois.
Wage Garnishment
Q: Does Executive Order 2020-25 apply to existing wage garnishments or only to those going forward from the date of the order?
A: Executive order 2020-25 does not apply to existing wage deductions or garnishments. It only prohibits service of any new garnishment summons, wage deduction summons, or citations to discover assets.
DPH
Q: Does IDPH or the administration have identifiable, objective standards (i.e. stats) that must be met prior to an easing of the Stay at Home Executive Order 2020-10 and other COVID-19 restrictions? If yes, what are those standards?
A: The administration is reviewing the situation and trends on a daily basis and will continue to make recommendations based on CDC and IDPH guidelines. The safety and well-being of Illinois residents will remain the administration’s top priority.
Q: There are many medical facilities that could operate for elective or non-emergency procedures. Many in the healthcare field are on reduced or limited hours due to specializations not related to COVID-19 treatment such as general practice or surgical. Under certain circumstances it should be considered to allow elective procedures to start again. The backlog of these will create a pent-up demand that will create its own logjam.
A: IDPH will be issuing guidance to surgi-centers and hospitals to allow for certain elective surgeries for non-life-threatening conditions, starting on May 1. Facilities will need to meet specific criteria such as, including proper PPE, ensuring enough overall space for COVID-19 patients remains available, and testing of elective surgery patients to ensure COVID-19 negative status.
Testing
Q: Can drivers who work for City Lift, who provide transportation to seniors and individuals with disabilities, be considered a first priority for testing?
A: Any person exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, including transportation drivers, can get tested at the drive through sites, which can be found here https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/testing-sites.