Hernandez Applauds Face-Covering Requirement for Essential Businesses

AURORA, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, is notifying residents of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s action to require all essential businesses to provide employees with cloth face-coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

“Unfortunately, and despite several measures in place protecting the general public from COVID-19, many of our essential workers who are still going to work each day have not been properly protected from this deadly virus,” said Hernandez. “The recent announcement that all employers will be required to provide face coverings to employees who are not able to maintain six feet of social distancing is absolutely crucial in protecting the lives of our workers and slowing the spread of this disease.”

Hernandez is highlighting the extension to the state’s mandatory stay at home order that will go into effect May 1, requiring all businesses and manufacturers deemed essential to provide cloth face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain six-feet of social distancing. The state will also release other necessary precautionary measures including occupancy limits and staggering shifts to protect essential workers. Hernandez is encouraging employees to report any violations that put their safety at risk by calling the Attorney General’s Workplace Rights Bureau at 844-740-5076 or emailing workplacerights@atg.state.il.us.

“Essential workers are showing up to their jobs to ensure services are kept up in our state during this pandemic, so it is our job to ensure that they are protected while at work,” said Hernandez. “I applaud Governor Pritzker for these added protections for essential employees, because lives truly depend on it.”

For more information on the mandatory stay at home order and the state’s response to COVID-19, please visit coronavirus.illinois.gov.