OAK LAWN, IL — Mayor Sandra Bury will sign an executive order requiring residents and essential workers to wear facial coverings in public areas where there is the potential for significant community spread of coronavirus. The executive order takes effect Friday, April 24.

The mayor plans to sign the executive order on Monday. Oak Lawn residents will be required to wear facial coverings when visiting essential businesses and interacting with delivery people. Further, public and private employers are directed to develop internal policies regarding face coverings when social distancing cannot be maintained, such as a manufacturing or automotive setting.

Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters. There are currently 176 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County Department of Public Health.

"I recommend strongly that residents and essential workers, such as retail workers, start wearing masks before Friday," Bury said. "People can use cloth coverings over their nose and mouth. The masks don't have to be medical grade, I would prefer those masks be set aside for health care workers." Bury said she's receiving several calls a day from residents reporting situations where people aren't social distancing in stores or gatherings in their neighborhoods.

"What they're describing concerns me," the mayor said.

People working by themselves in a private office where they can close a door, or out walking or exercising alone in residential areas don't have to wear masks if they can safely practice social distancing.

"Sitting in your yard by yourself or with members of your household, or walking your dog is okay," Bury said. "However, shoppers and retail workers will be required to wear facial coverings." The mayor wouldn't disclose the names of the stores she's visited personally or heard reports about crowding or ignoring social distancing guidelines.