Three regions of the Restore Illinois Plan will now begin to roll back COVID-19 safety restrictions on businesses and gatherings as COVID-19 positivity rates slowly decline.
Regions 1, Northern Illinois; Region 2, North Central Illinois; and Region 5, Southern Illinois are now able to move down from tier 3 restrictions to tier 2 restrictions, which allows group fitness classes to resume, low-risk sports to be played, and the re-opening of cultural sites like museums with limited capacity.
Additionally, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that regions reaching the necessary metrics to move down into tier 1 will be allowed to open bars, restaurants, and other hospitality locations to the lesser of 25 people or 25 percent capacity.
“The trajectory of the data in each region has given Dr. [Ngozi] Ezike and I some confidence that a careful and limited reopening of bars and restaurants in regions that have attained tier one will not lead to a resurgence. … Bars and Restaurants have carried an extremely heavy burden throughout this public health crisis through no fault of their own,” Pritzker said.
In a statement, Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia said that this step is helps, but “falls short of the restaurant industry’s critical needs and expectations.”
Ezike from the Illinois Department Public Health confirmed that the state has seen its first case of the UK-originated COVID-19 variant, which has shown to be more contagious. Ezike urged all Illinoisans to continue to follow safety guidelines to prevent the variant’s spread.
Pritzker said that the state is officially moving into phase 1B of its vaccination plan on Jan. 25, which includes opening vaccination up to those ages 65 and older. Beginning Jan. 18, Illinois National Guard mobile teams will begin operating vaccination sites in regions across the state, followed by vaccination sites at third-party pharmacies, urgent care locations, and doctor's offices.
Please find attached the Governor’s press release on indoor dining and the next phase of vaccination administration as well as an updated Illinois Resurgence Mitigation Plan.
Allison F. Richard
