Illinois Requires COVID-19 Vaccine for Students, Mandates Masks

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a statewide mask mandate on Aug. 26 and ordered every eligible student, among other “high-risk settings,” to get vaccinated against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Pritzker, a Democrat, said the vaccination mandate will apply to pre-K through 12th-grade teachers and staff, higher education personnel, and students, as well as health care workers, nursing home employees, and the offices of doctors, according to a government statement.

Anyone who refuses, or is unable, to get vaccinated is required to get tested for the CCP virus “at least once per week,” Pritzker said, noting that this may get increased by the Ilinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) or the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in certain situations.

The new statewide mask mandate will apply to everyone in all indoor settings who is over the age of 2, regardless of their vaccination status. The measure will go into effect on Aug. 30.

“While face coverings are not required outdoors, masks are strongly encouraged in crowded outdoor settings like festivals and concerts, as well as for activities that require close contact with people who are not vaccinated,” the statement reads. – READ MORE