October 20, 2020 – Southern Illinois will be the latest region to be placed under more strict COVID-19 safety measures. Governor Pritzker says Region Five currently has a test positivity rate of more than 9% and an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Region One, the Rockford Area, is also under the stricter measures. Regions Seven and Eight, including Kankakee, DuPage, and Kane counties, may soon also be under more strict measures.
New mitigations for Region Five will begin Thursday and will include no indoor dining or bar service and gatherings will be limited to 25 people.
Below is a list of mitigations that will go into effect for Region Five.
Bars/Restaurants
- No indoor service.
- All outside bar service closes at 11 p.m.
- All bar patrons must be seated at tables outside.
- No ordering, seating, or congregating at the bar.
- Tables should be placed six feet apart.
- No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting.
- No dancing or standing indoors.
- Reservations are required for each party.
- No seating of multiple parties at one table.
- No indoor dining or bar service.
- All outdoor dining closes at 11 p.m.
- Outside dining tables should be placed six feet apart.
- No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting.
- Reservations are required for each party.
- No seating of multiple parties at one table.
Meetings, Social Events and Gatherings
- Limit to lesser of 25 guests or 25% of overall room capacity.
- No party buses.
- Gaming and Casinos close at 11 p.m., are limited to 25% capacity, and must follow mitigations for bars and restaurants.
