Ford County Public Health Department Seeks Partnership with Local Establishments During COVID-19 Pandemic

Ford County, IL – Governor Pritzker recently announced a plan to safely reopen Illinois. The plan, Restore Illinois, is a five-phased plan that will reopen the state guided by health metrics.  It recognizes the distinct impact COVID-19 has had on different regions of the state. As our region (Central) moves towards reopening, Ford County Public Health Department (FCPHD) is seeking to partner with local businesses and organizations to plan, prepare, and respond to COVID-19. “We are asking that all entities looking to reopen their doors at any point in the future begin making plans to reopen with the health and safety of employees and the public in mind,” stated FCPHD Administrator, Lana Sample.

To assist, FCPHD has developed tools and resources to guide reopening plans, including a reopening template that can be completed and submitted to FCPHD for review. FCPHD also plans to offer a virtual meeting that individuals can attend to discuss COVID-19 safety strategies and any questions or concerns. By offering a framework to build safety measures upon, FCPHD’s goal is that entities will feel prepared for when they do reopen.

FCPHD encourages all employers, businesses, houses of worship, and other community organizations that work with and serve the public to consider partnering with FCPHD to safely reopen. Essential businesses that have remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic may also participate. FCPHD is open to communication with any local entity looking for guidance to protect their staff and the public they serve. Ford County entities interested in receiving information to help develop safety strategies, should call the FCPHD office at (217)379-9281, or email [email protected]. Please include the title of your business or organization, primary point(s) of contact, email address, and a telephone number. There is no deadline to submit this information, but FCPHD does encourage entities to be proactive. Please contact the FCPDH office with any questions.

The reopening template and additional information can be found at: https://fordcountyphd.org/covid-19/reopening. A GoToWebinar is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2020, at 12:00pm. The link and information on this webinar can be found at: https://fordcountyphd.org/covid-19/reopening.