Grundy County Provides COVID-19 Guidelines for Businesses
MORRIS – The Grundy County Health Department provides information about adherence to the recently adopted Department of Public Health emergency regulations, 77 Ill. Admin. Code 690.50.
Pursuant to the Department of Public Health Act, 20 ILCS 2305, the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law, 20 ILCS 2310, and the Communicable Disease Code, 77 Ill. Admin. Code 690, the Department of Public Health adopted emergency regulations, 77 Ill. Admin. Code 690.50, on August 7, 2020, to restrict and suppress COVID-19.
The highlights of this regulation include:
-Any business, service, facility or organization open to the public or employees shall require employees,customers, and other individuals on the premises who are over the age of two and able to medically tolerate a face covering to cover their nose and mouth with a face covering when unable to maintain a distance of at least six-feet. Coverings may be removed while eating or drinking, but are required at all other times. Section 690.50(c)(2)
-Gatherings of more than 50 people (or gatherings of 50% or more of a building’s maximum occupancy as determined by the authority having jurisdiction, if 50% of a building maximum occupancy is less than 50 people) are prohibited unless exempted by law or Executive Order. Section 690.50(c)(4)
-Public and nonpublic schools, ranging from preschools through post-secondary institutions, and day care centers and homes shall require students, employees and other individuals on the premises to wear a face covering.
In cooperation with law enforcement, elected officials, and other community leaders, the Grundy County Health Department is tasked with education and enforcement related to this new rule. As such, community members and local business owners shall note that Health Department staff will be contacting businesses upon complaints, and moving forward through the following steps until compliance is achieved, as directed by IDPH:
-Step 1: Business, service, facility or organization shall be given a written notice of non-compliance, seeking voluntary compliance.
-Step 2: Business, service, facility or organization shall be issued a written order to disperse (have all or some persons on premises disperse) in order to restrict and suppress COVID-19, until such time as the business or establishment is in compliance.
-Step 3: Business, service, facility or organization shall be subject to penalties set forth in Section 8.1 of the Act, which may include a fine of between $75 and $2500.
Please note that the Health Department strongly encourages community members to express their concerns directly to a manager or owner of a business. This direct contact is least restrictive, and often most effective. The Health Department is committed to protecting the health and well-being of Grundy County residents, and appreciates cooperation among businesses and residents in this most recent ruling.
