Northbrook President Requires Face Coverings In New Supplemental Order

Press release from the Village of Northbrook:

Posted on: April 17, 2020

Following the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Village President Frum has issued a new Supplemental Order requiring face coverings for persons over the age of five when performing essential activities. The Order goes into effect on Monday, April 20, at 12:01am and states the following:

1. All persons over the age of five are required to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth made of cloth or other material while:
   • Working in or patronizing essential businesses and operations that are open to the public or when employees have contact with the public.
   • Engaging in essential activities such as shopping for necessary supplies and services, seeking medical supplies or medication, or visiting a health care professional.
   • Riding in public transportation, taxis, or ride share vehicles.
2. A business owner or operator may refuse admission or service to any individual who fails to wear a face covering as required by this Supplemental Order.
3. Exceptions:
   • When a person is engaged in outdoor activity and permissible outdoor physical activity, as defined in Governor Pritzker’s Stay at Home Order (such as walking, hiking, running, or biking), and as further restricted by the April 2, 2020 Supplemental Order Regarding Contact Sports and Group Recreation, while at the same time practicing social distancing of at least six feet from others.
   • When riding in a personal vehicle.
   • When a person is alone or with members of a household or residence in a private space that is not open to the general public.
   • When doing so poses a greater health, safety, or security risk to the person or to the public.
4. Appropriate face coverings include non-medical grade masks, homemade masks, scarves, bandanas, or handkerchiefs.
5. Medical-grade masks and N95 respirators are not recommended for general public use under this Supplemental Order, and should be reserved for use by health care and medical providers and first responders.

Read the full Order here. This Order is pursuant to the Village’s Declaration of Emergency issued on March 26 and in addition to the Supplemental Order issued by President Frum on April 2.

Compliance with the Order

If you witness someone violating this Order in an essential business, please contact the business owner or manager. To focus on emergency needs, our Police Department may not respond to every reported violation of this Order in person. Our Officers will also contact business owners by phone when there is a reported violation.

Village to Distribute Masks to Public

The Village understands that not everyone has the same access to supplies for face coverings. In addition to issuing the Order, the Village has secured a limited supply of non-surgical, reusable, cloth masks to distribute to the community on a date to be announced soon. Masks will be distributed on a ’first come, first served’ basis and in a drive-thru fashion at 1657 Shermer Road (formerly Grainger). Cars with current Northbrook vehicle stickers will be allowed up to four masks per car, however, we encourage residents to be considerate of others and only take what they need. More details will be made available within the next week - for updates, follow the Village on Facebook or sign up for our weekly e-newsletter.

This press release was produced by the Village of Northbrook. The views expressed here are the author’s own.