Pritzker announced additional steps before full reopening

Governor J. B. Pritzker's administration is expected to release a plan later this week that will gradually transition the state from current restrictions to a full reopening, officials said on Monday.

Illinois is now in phase four of the governor's reopening plan. Just as during the summer before the autumn resurgence of the pandemic, restrictions are in place once again.

In the next phase of the governor's plan, „all sectors of the economy are reopened“ and „conventions, festivals, and large events can be held.“.

At Monday's meeting of the Illinois Senate Health Committee, Dr. Ngozi Ezike stated that Illinois residents are one phase away from a full reopening.

Pritzker's spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh confirmed that Governor Pritzker's administration is „working on a phased reopening.“.

„We've had a lot of conversations with industry and health experts,“ Abudayyeh said. She added that further details would come later this week.

Dr. Ezike said that key steps that will lead to a full reopening include vaccinating the majority of older adults. Also, this involves considering overall vaccinations, as well as the average number of coronavirus-related deaths continuing to decline.

One thing that is not expected to completely disappear is the guidance on wearing masks in public, she said.

„We won't get rid of masks,“ Ezike added. „We think masks must continue to be a mainstay.“

Governor Pritzker's administration supports mandatory mask-wearing even after the lifting of restrictions.

SOURCE: ABC 7 CHICAGO PHOTO: PEXELS