Grundy Reporter

Several officials have teamed up to form the Reopen Grundy County Task Force as a way to protect public health and help businesses that are reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Through the teamwork of county officials, state lawmakers, and several health and economic boards and councils, the task force was able to be initiated, according to Morris Herald News. The task force will be focusing on the public health of the county by creating rules and guidelines for all organizations such as restaurants and churches to follow upon reopening. 

"The goal is to safely re-open Grundy County as fast as possible," Grundy County Board Chairman Chris Balkema told the Morris Herald News. 

With the task force, the County Health Department will be able to monitor the coronavirus situation in the county on a daily basis and increased testing will be available. 

The task force is also developing new tools to help local businesses and organizations reopen while abiding by Gov. J.B. Pritzker's orders, according to the Morris Herald News. The task force has already created a toolkit to be used in Phase III of reopening. 

Grundy County is prepared to move into the third phase soon, the Morris Herald News reported. Hospitals are also recording coronavirus hospitalization deceases and an increase in space available. But the County Health Department will still be using contact tracing as a precautionary measure. 

Guidelines for the third phase or reopening have been issued by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Grundy County moved into Phase III on May 29. There are also guidelines available for specific industries, which can be found here. 

Grundy County's toolkits for businesses reopening can be found on the county's website and on the county chamber's website. 

Businesses that serve alcohol will need to contact their local municipality for more instructions. 

“I commend the Task Force for working diligently and collaboratively with all local partners to encourage best practices in safely reopening our local economy," Grundy Economic Development Council Executive Director Nancy Norton told the Morris Herald News. "Employee and customer safety are the priority for local businesses as they prepare to re-open."