Governor Pritzker Announces New Statewide COVID-19 Restrictions Starting Friday, November 20 |
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Earlier today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced additional COVID-19 resurgence mitigations that will take effect in every region across the state in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus. Tier 3 mitigations build on the Resurgence Mitigation Plan released in July to suppress the spread of the virus and prevent hospitals from becoming overrun. These mitigations aim to limit gatherings and encourages residents to stay home as much as possible and follow proper safety measures when out in public.
As a reminder to residents, Chicago is under a Stay-at-Home Advisory to combat the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Please note, this advisory is recommended guidance from the City of Chicago and not an enforceable order.
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While this latest round of mitigations does not include a stay at home order, if the mitigations are not adhered to and cases continue to rise in the weeks ahead, another order may be required. For all regions, additional mitigation measures take effect Friday, November 20, 2020 at 12:01am. The new mitigation requirements to combat the surge of COVID-19 across Illinois are as follows:
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Retail
- Operate at no more than 25% capacity, including general merchandise stores, “big box” stores that offer groceries and pharmacy, and convenience stores.
- Grocery stores and pharmacies may operate at up to 50% capacity
- Encourage delivery or curbside pickup options wherever possible
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Personal Care Services
- Operate at lesser of 25 clients or 25% capacity
- Face coverings must be worn at all times by clients and service providers
- Suspend services where a face covering cannot be worn (e.g. facials, beard trims)
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Health and Fitness Centers
- Operate at no more than 25% capacity
- No indoor group classes
- Face coverings must be worn at all times, including while engaged in individual exercise regardless of person or machine spacing
- Reservations required
- Locker room areas should be closed
- Hotels
- Hotel room occupancy should be limited to registered guests only, with the maximum allowance being the number of individuals permissible per existing fire code for each applicable guest room
- Fitness centers should be closed, or operated only on a reservation model with capacity limited to 25% of the maximum occupancy for the room
- Grab and go food allowed
- Event and meeting space closed
- Bars and Restaurants
- All bars and restaurants close at 11:00pm and may open no earlier than 6:00am the following day
- No indoor service
- All bar and restaurant patrons should be seated at tables outside
- Tables should be six feet apart and should not exceed six people
- Reservations required for each party
- Meetings and Social Events
- Limit in-home gatherings to household members
- Meeting rooms, banquet centers, private party rooms, private clubs and country clubs may not host gatherings
- No party buses
- Funerals are limited to ten family members of the decedents, not including staff
- Offices
- All employees who can work remotely should work remotely
- Organized Group Recreational Activities
- Pause all indoor group sporting and recreational activities including youth and adult recreational sports
- Includes park districts and travel leagues
- Outdoor sports and recreation allowed
- Participant groups and practices outdoors limited to ten people or less with social distancing
- Locker rooms should be closed
- Indoor Recreation, Theater, Cultural Institutions
- Gaming and casinos close
- Indoor recreation centers, including theaters, performing arts centers and indoor museums and amusement centers, close
- Outdoor activities allowed at 25% capacity or less
For a full list of mitigations for each industry, please click here.
As they have since the start of COVID-19, grocery stores across the state will remain open and available. Child care facilities may continue to operate subject to guidelines from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. School districts and officials should continue to follow the extensive guidance released by the Illinois State Board of Education in August to make decisions related to in-person and remote learning at the local level.
As a reminder to businesses, there are several COVID-19 relief resources available during this time.
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The Chicago Hospitality Grant Program is a $10 million grant program for Chicago’s restaurants and bars that continue to face significant challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis.
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Applications are available until November 23 at 11:59pm.
- State of Illinois Business Interruption Grant Program (BIG) / The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development (DCEO) has grants available for businesses throughout the State of Illinois.
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Learn more about the program here.
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The City of Chicago has established Small Business Resource Navigators to provide one-on-one assistance to small businesses looking for support during this difficult time.
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