Community Guidance and Resources
COVID-19 Conference Calls
The Lake County Health Department hosts monthly conference calls to provide COVID-19 updates to businesses, faith leaders, and municipal leaders. Please join us to stay informed, ask your questions, and find the answers you need to navigate this challenging time.
Sign up or view audio recordings and notes from our previous calls
Businesses and Employers
Guidance
- Guidance for Workplaces and Businesses - CDC
- Restore Illinois: Phase 5 Guidelines for Reopening - Illinois DCEO
- Business and Organization Guidance - IDPH
- Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations - CDC
- Funeral Homes Guidance - IDPH
- Guidance for Transportation Providers and Passengers During COVID-19 - LCHD (Spanish)
- Worker Safety and Support - CDC
- Workplace Health and Safety Guidance for Employees and Staff of Businesses - IDPH
Resources
- Lake County COVID-19 Case Reporting Form - LCHD
- Sign Up for Email Updates for Lake County Businesses - LCHD
- COVID-19 Template Letter for Businesses - LCHD
- Health Check Guidance for Employers - LCHD
- Resources for Businesses and Employers - CDC
Communities and Faith-Based Organizations
Guidance
- Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations - CDC
- Considerations for Food Pantries and Food Distribution Sites - CDC
- Guidance for Places of Worship and Providers of Religious Services - IDPH
- Halloween Guidance - IDPH
- Holiday Celebrations - CDC
- Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities - CDC
- Worshipping Together Safely - LCHD (Spanish)
Resources
- Lake County COVID-19 Case Reporting Form - LCHD
- Sign Up for Email Updates for Faith Leaders - LCHD
- Resources for Community and Faith-Based Organizations - CDC
- Resources for Gatherings and Community Events - CDC
- Resources for Parks and Recreational Facilities - CDC
- Resources to Support People Experiencing Homelessness - CDC
First Responders and Law Enforcement
Guidance
Resources
- Protocol for Dissemination of BinaxNOW Test During COVID-19
- BinaxNOW Test Request Form
- Resources for First Responders and Law Enforcement - CDC
- Resources for Correctional and Detention Facilities - CDC
Healthcare Providers and Hospitals
The Health Department is directing people who think they have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, to call their primary care provider. Please contact the Lake County Health Department Communicable Disease program to arrange for the patient to be assessed if they meet the criteria for a Persons Under Investigation (PUI).
Guidance
- Clinical and Public Health Guidance for Managing COVID-19 - IDPH
- Clinical criteria for a COVID-19 person under investigation (PUI) - CDC
- Elective Surgical Procedure Guidance - IDPH
- Information for Healthcare Professionals - CDC
- Long Term Care Facility Guidance for Coronavirus (COVID-19) - IDPH
- Non-Discrimination in Medical Treatment Guidance - IDPH
- Routine Oral and Dental Care - IDPH
Resources
- Protocol for Dissemination of BinaxNOW Test During COVID-19
- BinaxNOW Test Request Form
- Preparing for COVID-19: Long-term Care Facilities, Nursing Homes - CDC
Schools and Childcare Programs
Guidance
- School Activities Toolkit - LCHD
- Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Guidance
- Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations - CDC
- Daycare Guidance - IDPH
- Safely Launching Academic Year 2020 - Illinois Board of Higher Education
- Schools Guidance - IDPH
Resources
- Lake County COVID-19 Case Reporting Form - LCHD
- School COVID-19 Vaccine Flyer (English/Spanish) - LCHD (Spanish only) (English only)
- Protocol for Dissemination of BinaxNOW Test During COVID-19
- BinaxNOW Test Request Form
- BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Card Checklist
- BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Product Expiry Update
- Interim Guidance on Rapid Point-Of-Care Testing for COVID-19 in Community Settings and Schools - IDPH
- Decision Tool: Child Care - CDC
- Decision Tool: Schools - CDC
- Letter to School Administrators - May 28, 2020 - LCHD
- Northern Illinois Return to School Metrics - NIPHC
- Pandemic COVID‐19 Checklist: K‐12 School Administrators - IDPH
- Resources for Colleges and Universities - CDC
- Resources for Schools and Childcare Programs - CDC
Travelers
To limit the spread of COVID-19, the Lake County Health Department recommends avoiding all non-essential travel until you are fully vaccinated. |
Domestic Travel
COVID-19 infections continue to cause substantial community transmission across the country, including in Illinois and in Lake County. We continue to recommend avoiding all non-essential travel until you are fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the United States as they are less likely to get and spread COVID-19.
For fully vaccinated people:
During Travel
- Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
- Follow all state and local recommendations and requirements, including mask wearing and social distancing.
After Travel
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
- Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.
For all travelers:
Remember that wherever you go, you should always follow public health guidelines - the 3 Ws - to reduce your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19:
- Wear a mask
- Wash your hands
- Watch your distance
Do these things consistently to lower your risk. If you are returning from travel, are not vaccinated, and have not followed the 3 Ws, please consider a 10-day self-quarantine to keep our communities safe. This is not a mandatory quarantine or public health order.
Updated April 8, 2021
International Travel
For fully vaccinated people:
During Travel
- Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
- Follow all recommendations and requirements at your destination, including mask wearing and social distancing
After Travel
- Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel.
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
- Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements after travel.
Fore more information, visit the CDC's webpage International Travel During COVID-19
For all travelers:
As of January 26, 2021, the CDC requires proof of a negative COVID-19 test or the recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States. You will need to get tested no more than three days before traveling into the United States. You will need to show a negative test result before boarding your flight, or documentation of recovery from your healthcare provider or health department stating that you are cleared to travel. Further information regarding the order can be found on CDCs Requirement for Proof page.
COVID-19 is spreading worldwide. CDC recommends avoiding all non-essential international travel. If you must travel, follow the recommendations in the Global COVID-19 Pandemic Notice, in addition to any travel health recommendations provided on the webpage for your destination.
Older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions are at increased risk for severe disease. These groups should consider postponing non-essential travel and avoid situations that put them at increased risk for more severe disease. This entails avoiding crowded places, avoiding non-essential travel such as long plane trips, and especially avoiding embarking on cruise ships.