Pritzker Imposes Stay-At-Home Order To Curb Virus
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces that three more people have died in the state from from Covid-19 virus, two Illinois residents and one woman visiting from Florida, during a news conference Thursday, March 19, 2020, in Chicago. AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered the state's residents to remain in their homes except for essential needs, joining similar efforts in California and New York to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Pritzker's order announced Friday will still allow the state's 12.6 million residents to seek essentials including groceries and medicine.
The order will take effect Saturday and last through April 7.
Pritzker says the move could potentially prevent tens of thousands" of deaths.
He says people can continue to shop for groceries, visit pharmacies and gas stations, exercise outdoors and pick up meals from restaurants.