Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 7, 2020 / 13:40 pm
The governor of Illinois has said he will continue to ban public gatherings of more than 50 people-including religious services-until a vaccine or treatment for coronavirus is available.
The announcement comes as the White House is reported to have shelved guidance from the Centers for Disease Control on gradually reopening sections of the American economy and society.
Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday that gatherings of more than 50 people in the state would not be allowed until a coronavirus vaccine "or highly effective treatment" is "widely available."
Public health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, have cautioned that a COVID-19 vaccine is at least 12 to 18 months from being developed and made available.