No region in Illinois to end Level 3 mitigation measures in coming weeks, says Pritzker – NBC Chicago



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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said on Monday that no region of Illinois would reduce coronavirus restrictions in the coming weeks.

Due to an increase in hospitalizations and an expected increase after the Thanksgiving holiday, Pritzker said the Illinois Department of Public Health would not downgrade any area of ​​Illinois from Level 3 mitigations in “the next weeks”.

“With guidance from IDPH and other infectious disease experts, no region will be downgraded from our current Tier 3 mitigation measures in the coming weeks, even though they may be on track to meet these metrics. “said Pritzker. “We are still in a precarious situation and we need to take the time to assess any effects of Thanksgiving before making any premature adjustments.”

As of mid-November, all of Illinois was on state-mandated Level 3 coronavirus mitigation measures.

The new restrictions have forced the closure of several businesses and spaces, including casinos and museums, among others. There are also new limitations for non-essential businesses like gyms and salons.

Illinois health officials on Monday reported 6,190 new cases of the coronavirus, along with 85 more deaths, as the number of tests in the previous 24 hours remained low over the holiday weekend compared to the days before Thanksgiving.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the state has reported a total of 726,304 coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic and 12,278 deaths attributed to the virus.

A total of 66,980 tests have been performed in the past 24 hours, the IDPH said. This marked the fourth consecutive day of testing in the 60,000-80,000 range when that daily number was on the order of six digits in days and weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Here’s a full rundown of the ongoing restrictions for each industry:

Guiding lines

Bars and restaurants:

• All bars and restaurants close at 11:00 p.m. and can reopen at 6:00 a.m. the next day at the earliest.

• No interior service

• All bar and restaurant customers must be seated at tables outside

• No orders, seats or meetings at the bar (bar stools must be removed)

• Tables should be spaced six feet apart

• Do not stand or gather outside while waiting for a table or when going out.

• No dancing or standing inside

• No table of more than six people

• Reservations required for each party

• No seating for multiple parties at a table

• Indoor gaming terminals must suspend operations

• Includes private clubs and country clubs

Health and fitness centers:

• Operate at a maximum capacity of 25%

• No indoor group lessons

• Masks must be worn at all times, including during individual exercise, regardless of the spacing of people or machines.

• Reservations required

• The changing rooms must be closed

Hotels:

• Hotel room occupancy should be limited to registered guests only, with the maximum allocation being the number of people allowed per existing fire code for each applicable room.

• Fitness centers must be closed or operated only on a reservation model with a capacity limited to 25% of the maximum room occupancy.

• Take-out food allowed

• Closed event and meeting space

Indoor leisure, theaters, cultural institutions:

• Closure of games and casinos

• Indoor recreation centers, including theaters, performing arts centers, and indoor museums and attractions, nearby

• Live streaming of performances encouraged with social distancing from performers and minimal operational staff

• Outdoor activities permitted at a capacity of 25% or less

• Outdoor group activities limited to 10 people or less, participants / guests must wear a face mask at all times

• Reservation required for each guest for outdoor activities

Manufacturing:

• Additional COVID training for all employees required even if previous training has taken place

• Operators should coordinate with IDPH to implement testing protocols and contact tracing, upon request, in accordance with available testing supplies.

• All employees must wear a face mask at all times unless eating or drinking. Exemptions for security purposes only.

• Only manufacturing and key personnel are permitted in the facilities. Non-production employees must work remotely. Non-essential personnel and visitors are not permitted. Exemptions only for critical equipment repairs, deliveries of supplies, and security reasons (“critical visitors”).

• All critical visitors must have an approved Employee Health and Safety Risk Assessment (EHS) completed in advance, including travel history, monitoring and temperature control prior to entry.

• Implement additional workstation realignment when possible

• Stagger and space shifts, and designate shift in and out (where possible) to minimize employee interactions within unique shift groups

• Station sanitation required at the start and end of shifts

• Operators must suspend incentive payments linked to COVID and promote staying home when sick or have symptoms

• Implement temporary leave policies to accommodate sick workers
• Develop and implement safety protocols for employee vans to promote spacing, require face covers, temperature controls, air circulation and vehicle disinfection.

Meetings, social events and gatherings:

• Limit home gatherings to household members

• Meeting rooms, banquet centers, private party rooms, private clubs and country clubs cannot accommodate gatherings.

• No party bus

• Funerals are limited to 10 family members of the deceased, not including staff, see advice from IDPH

Office:

  • All employees who can work remotely should do so

Organized group recreational activities:

• Interrupt all indoor group sports and recreational activities, including recreational sports for young people and adults, individual training can remain (upon reservation by the facility)

• Includes park districts and travel leagues

• Outdoor sports and recreation permitted

• Groups of participants and outdoor practices limited to 10 people or less with social distancing

• Face cover required for all activities at all times

• The changing rooms must be closed

Personal care services (including hair salons, massage facilities, nail care facilities):

• Operate at less than 25 clients or 25% capacity

• Face blankets must be worn at all times by clients and service providers

• Suspend services where a face mask cannot be worn (eg facials, beard trimming)

• Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and massage therapy are authorized if necessary by a medical provider, but appointments must be spaced at least 15 minutes apart and establishments must take measures to disinfect and circulate clean air in service rooms before and after each service

• Virtual consultations recommended

Retail:

• Operate at a maximum capacity of 25%, including general merchandise stores, big box stores that offer grocery and drug stores, and convenience stores

• Grocery stores and pharmacies can operate up to 50% of their capacity

• Encourage curbside delivery or pick-up options where possible

• When in-store purchases are necessary, promote efficient travel and regular traffic

State grocery stores will remain open and available, daycares will be able to continue operating, and school districts and officials “should continue to follow detailed guidelines issued by the State Board of Education,” said the governor’s office. of Illinois in August to make decisions related to in-person and distance learning at the local level. “



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