SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker announced an extension of the Stay at Home Order Thursday, which will take effect May 1, but with different restrictions and opportunities in place.

Some current restrictions were amended or lifted to create more opportunities for Illinoisans. State parks will begin a phased reopening starting May 1. Aside from hiking, Illinoisans will be able to fish and boat, as long as they are in groups of no more than two people. Golfing will also be permitted with safety guidelines. A list of the state parks and recreation areas that will reopen is available here.

Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries will be able to open, as long as they are following social distancing requirements. People may also get their pets groomed under the new executive order.

On the non-essential business front, retail stores may reopen to fulfill telephone and online orders through pick-up outside the store and delivery.

Additionally, the Illinois Department of Public Health will be issuing guidance to surgical centers and hospitals to allow for certain elective surgeries for non-life-threatening conditions.

Among those new restrictions, however, is the requirement to wear a face-covering or a mask in public places where people can’t maintain a six-foot distance. The requirement is for all public indoor spaces for people over the age of two who are able to medically tolerate covering their face.

For the latest information, people can visit coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/ or click on the COVID-19 tab on the right side of the Illinois Senate Democrats website at illinoissenatedemocrats.com