February 28, 2022
Skokie Health and Human Services Indoor Mask and Vaccine Mandates Ended February 28, 2022
Effective February 28, 2022, the Village of Skokie has lifted the COVID-19 Public Health Indoor Mask Requirement and Public Health Proof of Vaccination Orders. See the order that rescinded these mandates.
The Village of Skokie acted in alignment with the State of Illinois, City of Chicago and the Cook County Department of Public Health as improvements are continuing throughout the region in key COVID-19 metrics. As of February 20, 2022, the COVID-19 positivity rate in Skokie was 1.03% and the seven-day rolling average for confirmed cases was 13.43 cases per day. For the first time since early November, 2021, Skokie Community Transmission level for COVID-19 is at the Substantial level, with less than 100 new cases over the last 7 days per 100,000 population. The Cook County region’s ICU and non-ICU hospital admissions numbers, and the positivity rate are both in the ‘lower transmission’ risk category. Confirmed cases also continue to decrease and are approaching the lower transmission category.
As of February 28, 2022:
- Masks are no longer required in all indoor public places for the general public.
- Masks continue to be required in those settings as required by federal or state order or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines (healthcare settings, public transportation and transportation hubs and congregate care settings). See more information from the CDC.
- In the settings covered by the Proof of Vaccination Order (those where food or drink are served for on-premises consumption and health and fitness centers):
- Proof of vaccination for patrons in businesses are no longer be required.
- Proof of vaccination or weekly testing for employees are no longer be required.
Although masks are not required in most settings, many residents will choose to continue to wear a mask – especially those who are immunocompromised and children under the age of five who are not eligible to be vaccinated. The Village of Skokie asks for continued understanding and kindness to those who choose to wear a mask, or for those who chose not to wear a mask as will be permitted in most settings.
The Skokie Health and Human Services Department strongly recommends wearing a face mask in schools, and further recommends masking in any crowded indoor public setting where physical distancing cannot be maintained such as at large indoor events. Skokie Health and Human Services staff will continue to monitor COVID-19 metrics in Skokie and in the Cook County region. Additional mitigation measures might be recommended in the future if the healthcare system is overwhelmed or if transmission rate increases warrant such action.