Oak Park Department of Public Health issues indoor mask mandate, effective immediately – NBC Chicago

Oak Park will require all people over the age of 2, regardless of their immunization status, to wear a mask in indoor public spaces starting Friday, the village said.

“The village experienced a 750% increase in COVID-19 cases in July 2021 compared to June 2021. Therefore, I have determined that additional mitigation measures are needed as part of phase 5 to protect public health in accordance with my authority, ”said Oak Park Director of Public Health Dr. Theresa Chapple-McGruder.

The new requirement applies to all businesses, multi-family residential buildings, health care facilities, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, shelters, assembly places, government buildings and on all forms of public transportation. , including in stations and hubs, the said village.

Masks were recommended outdoors if individuals were unable to maintain a distance of at least six feet from other people not in the same household.

Oak Park is currently identified as an area of ​​substantial transmission of COVID-19. The village had 83 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in July, up from 11 in June.

According to Oak Park officials, about 58% of its residents have received at least one dose of a two-dose vaccine.