Governor orders residents to stay at home next few weeks.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has ordered all residents in the state to stay home, venturing outside only for essential jobs and errands.

The order extends from 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21, to the end of Tuesday, April 7.

Pritzker announced the “shelter in place” measure at a 3 p.m. news conference Friday.

 The order will not prohibit residents from accessing essential services including grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations.

“Here’s what will stay the same. You’ll still be able to visit the grocery to get food, to go to the pharmacy, go to a medical office or a hospital. Or gas up your car. You’ll be able to go running, hiking or walk your dog. Many people will still go to work. For the vast majority of you already taking precautions, your lives will not change very much.”

Pritzker said he consulted numerous experts in the decision- making process.

“A week ago we didn’t think we’d have to do this,” he said. “I am trying to be cognizant of medical science. I’m trying very hard to listen and follow their advice. These are hard decisions. I wish the federal government had taken the lead. But we need to move with all due haste. When you look at China, Italy, Spain and France it’s going to happen here if we don’t do something.”

“The less socialization during the next few weeks the better.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health today announced 163 new cases of coronavirus disease in Illinois, including the death of a Cook County woman in her 70s.  Three additional counties are now reporting cases — Adams, Christian, and McLean counties.

“Left unchecked, hospitals will become overwhelmed (by more virus victims),” the governor said.

He acknowledged that his decision comes down to saving lives vs. saving livelihoods.

“Ultimately, you can’t have your livelihood if you don’t have your life,” he said.

He urged people not to swarm gas stations or stores as a result of the edict.

“The fundamental building blocks that keep our state running will not be closing down,” he said.

Among the essential services he mentioned banks, agriculture, the press, veterinarians, plumbers, laundromats, roads, bridges and transit.

Restaurants will still have the ability to serve people, he said. Many are using curb service or delivery.

But nonessential businesses should close and their employees stay home, he stressed, to support the health-care workers who are treating those who need it the most.

Municipalities are being directed to halt any evictions.

One answer Pritzker said he can’t provide is about the potential reopening of schools. That is still being evaluated and schools will remain closed at least until April 8.

In a statement, the state’s two Democratic Senators, Richard Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, supported the order.

“Governor Pritzker’s shelter-in-place order is critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19.  This pandemic will continue to disrupt our daily lives, but it is more important than ever for all Illinoisans to follow official health and safety guidance, practice social distancing, and do everything in their power to avoid infecting themselves and others in their community.  Our actions today will save lives tomorrow,” the statement said.