State could lift restrictions on indoor dining, youth sports Thursday in southwest IL
The metro-east was set to join the rest of Illinois on Thursday in allowing limited indoor dining at bars and restaurants, and youth sports if the region continues to meet COVID-19 data goals.
The Illinois Department of Public Health said Wednesday the metro-east, or Region 4 as defined by the agency, had nearly met metrics to move into Phase 4 of the state’s coronavirus reopening plan.
Phase 4 allows indoor dining with 25% capacity limits and bar service if food is served, and allows for youth sports to resume.
Even higher risk sports such as football and wrestling at the conference and intra-region levels will be allowed with certain precautions.
The region must meet test positivity rate, intensive care unit availability and hospitalization metrics before it could move back into the less restrictive phase. Ten of the state’s 11 regions were in Phase 4 as of Wednesday.
By Wednesday, the metro-east was at a 6.5% test positivity rate for the second day in a row and 20% of ICU beds were available, also for the second consecutive day. Additionally, new COVID-19 hospitalizations had steadily dropped since mid-January. All three are requirements the state set for moving into Phase 4.
The metro-east was previously under Tier 2 of the state’s plan to stop the spread of coronavirus with added restrictions, which IDPH calls “mitigations.” Indoor dining was still barred and youth sports heavily restricted, making the Tier 1 and then the next step, Phase 4, a much desired goal regionwide.
If COVID-19 data starts to worsen again, the region could move back under stricter rules. But as in the rest of the state, the metro-east witnessed improving numbers in January after fears of a holiday surge subsided. Public health officials still urged caution even as vaccines rolled out to avoid another wave of the virus — and of restrictions on businesses and activities.
Masks are still required in public places where social distancing is not possible. Wearing masks, maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from people outside one’s household, frequent hand-washing and avoiding crowds help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Here are some guidelines for indoor dining and sports in Phase 4.
Indoor dining at bars and restaurants
- Seating arrangements should provide a minimum of 6 feet between parties.
- Parties are limited to 10 people or less.
- Restaurants may operate at 25% of standing capacity.
Customers should wear a mask when interacting with employees, whether dining in or picking up a carryout order.
Youth and adult sports
- For lower-risk sports (e.g., baseball, softball, cross country, swimming, etc.): Tournaments, out-of-conference/league play, out-of-state play and championship games are allowed.
- For medium-risk sports (e.g., soccer, volleyball, flag football, etc.): For outdoor sports, tournaments, out-of-conference/league play, out-of-state play, and championships games are allowed; for sports played indoors, intra-conference, intra-region or intra-league play/meets only. No state or league championship games/meets allowed.
- For higher-risk sports (e.g., basketball, boxing, football, wrestling, hockey): Intra-conference, intra-region or intra-league play/meets only. No state or league championship games/meets allowed.
This story was originally published February 3, 2021 at 12:35 PM.
