Tier 3 COVID Mitigation Measures Take Effect on Friday

Tier 3 COVID Mitigation Measures Take Effect on Friday

  Wednesday, November 18, 2020    Julie Tappendorf

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It will come as no surprise to most readers, but the State of Illinois is going to see new mitigation measures to try to control the COVID-19 pandemic. As we've reported in the past, all regions in the State are currently in Phase 4, with individual regions also being subject to either Tier 1 or Tier 2 measures that restrict certain activities such as indoor dining and size of gatherings. 

Effective Friday, November 20, 2020, the entire State will be subject to Tier 3 mitigation measures. The IDPH will monitor progress over 14 day monitoring periods to determine if mitigations can be relaxed or additional mitigations are required.

Tier 3 places additional restrictions on various activities, which are detailed here. We've summarized some of these new restrictions that take effect on November 20th, as follows:

Bars and Restaurants

• Indoor dining and bar service continues to be prohibited
• Outdoor service, carry out,  curbside, and delivery is permitted
• Bars and restaurants must close between 11 pm and 6 am
• Various other restrictions on table spacing, number of guests at a table, and reservations continue
• Indoor gaming terminals must cease operations
• These restrictions also apply to private clubs and country clubs

Health & Fitness Centers

• Restricted to 25% capacity
• No indoor group fitness classes
• Face coverings must be worn at all times, including while exercising
• Reservations required
• Locker rooms must close

Hotels

• Hotel occupancy restricted to registered guests only
• Fitness centers must close or operate by reservation only and at 25% capacity
• "Grab and go" food allowed
• Event and meeting space must close

Indoor Recreation, Theaters, and Cultural Institutions

• All gaming and casinos must close
• Theaters, performing arts centers, museums, and amusements centers must close 
• Outdoor activities allowed at 25% capacity, and limited to 10 persons or less, with face coverings worn at all times
• Reservations required for outdoor activities

Organized Group Recreational Activities

• Indoor group sporting and recreational activities, including youth and adult sports, must pause (includes park districts and travel leagues)
• Outdoor sports and recreation allowed but limited to 10 persons or less with social distancing
• Face coverings required for all activities at all times
• Locker rooms must close

Personal Care Service

• 25 clients or 25% capacity
• Face coverings required at all times by clients and providers
• Suspend those services where face covering cannot be worn
• Physical, occupational, and massage therapy allowed if deemed necessary by medical provider

Meetings, Social Events & Gatherings

• Home gatherings limited to household members only
• Meeting rooms, banquet centers, private party rooms, private clubs, and country clubs may not host gatherings
• Funerals limited to 10 family members

Retail

• General merchandise stores, big box stores that offer groceries and pharmacy, and convenience stores limited to 25% capacity
• Grocery stores and pharmacies limited to 50% capacity 
• Encourage delivery or curbside delivery

Office

• All employees who can work remotely should work remotely

Government

• Except where specific guidance is provided for certain operations, governments may continue regular operations but are encouraged to voluntarily take steps to support new mitigation strategies, including limiting customer service to 25% capacity and maximizing work from home