38 Masking Complaints In McHenry Co. Since Mandate: Officials

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Since Gov. J.B. Pritzker's most recent mask mandate took effect, officials with the McHenry County Health Department have been fielding complaints regarding people bucking the requirements.

As of Monday, the health department has received 38 complaints since the governor's latest executive order was issued 10 days earlier on Sept. 3, according to Lindsey Salvatelli, community information coordinator for the McHenry County Health Department.

The majority of the masking complaints have been in reference to food establishments and other hotspots for complaints have been businesses, fitness centers, financial institutions, government offices and places of worship, according to the MCDH. Here is a rundown of where the complaints have occurred:

• Food establishments: 28
• Businesses: 5
• Fitness centers: 4
• Financial institution: 1
• Government office: 1
• Place of worship: 1

The health department could not provide the names of businesses where the complaints occurred, health officials said. Any additional information was not immediately available.

Pritzker ordered the indoor mask mandate earlier this month amid the latest spike in COVID-19 cases.

According to the executive order, masks must be worn in public indoor places, which refer to indoor events, facilities and work places and include businesses, retail establishments, office buildings, entertainment venues, hotel meeting rooms and ballrooms, lobby areas, indoor sports complexes and other places of leisure.

Here are some specifics on the requirements on where masks must be worn:

• Face coverings must again be worn at all times when inside a health and fitness center, including while exercising, according to the order.
• All individuals, including those fully vaccinated and in areas of all levels of transmission,
  are required to wear a face covering when on public transportation and in transportation hubs; in congregate facilities such as correctional facilities and homeless shelters; in healthcare settings; and where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

Some caveats include:

• Masks are not required to be worn in churches or places of worship. The free exercise of religion is exempted from the face covering requirement. However, to protect the health and safety of faith leaders, staff, congregants and visitors, religious organizations and houses of worship are encouraged to consult and follow the recommended practices and guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Religious organizations are encouraged to take precautions for their congregants and visitors to ensure physical distancing, the use of face coverings, and implementation of other public health measures.
• A mask may be removed inside an office setting where the worker is able to consistently maintain six feet of distance, including inside a cubicle.
• Customers at restaurants or bars can remove their face coverings when actively eating and drinking but should wear face coverings at all other times when inside a bar or restaurant. It is recommended that tables be arranged so that seated patrons are a minimum of six feet away from patrons at other tables.
• Tents, including those used for weddings, must have at least 50 percent of the sides open in order to be considered an outdoor area. Tents that do not have at least 50 percent of the sides open are considered public indoor places and occupants must wear face coverings, regardless of vaccination status or physical distancing.

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