The Lake County Health Department updated its recommendations in accordance with State of Illinois guidance. This includes:

Social Distancing

• Stay home as much as possible.
• If gatherings are necessary, limit the number of people to 10.
• Call to check on family, neighbors, and older adults instead of visiting.
• Check with your healthcare provider about telehealth options.

Nursing Home Facilities

• Restricting all visitation except for certain compassionate care situations, such as end-of-life residents.
• Restricting all volunteers and non-essential health care personnel (e.g., barbers).
• Canceling all group activities and communal dining.
• Implementing active screening of residents and healthcare personnel for fever and respiratory symptoms.
• Additional guidance for long-term care facilities is on the Illinois Department of Public Health website.

Community Events

• Beginning March 18, 2020, all community events with 50 or more people in attendance should be canceled or postponed through the duration of the Illinois Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation.
• For gatherings of any size, residents should closely consider who is likely to attend the event and, if it includes vulnerable populations (e.g., elderly), strongly consider canceling.
• This includes community, civic, public leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions, and any similar event or activity that brings together 50 or more people in a single space.
• This includes fitness centers/health clubs, bowling alleys, private clubs, and theatres.
• This does not include venues that provide essential goods or services such as grocery stores, hospitals, pharmacies, gas stations, banks/credit unions, and shelters.

The Health Department will continue to provide updates as recommendations change.