Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Illinois is on track to fully reopen from COVID rules next week
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Illinois was on track to shed all remaining COVID-19 business restrictions and fully reopen the state by June 11.
There are no capacity limits in Phase 5, the final phase in the state’s reopening plan. Large gatherings may resume without restrictions. Anyone over 2 years old who is not vaccinated is still required to continue to wear a mask when unable socially distance from others.
Masks are still required while traveling in planes, buses and trains, regardless of vaccination status, and for those in health care settings, correctional facilities and homeless shelters.
The state continues to monitor virus numbers especially to see how Memorial Day weekend affected the spread of the virus, the governor said during a news conference in Peoria Wednesday.
“As the numbers are coming down, I just looked at them on my way here, we have declining numbers of cases, declining (numbers of) people in the hospital, declining numbers of people who are going to the hospital for the first time with COVID,” Pritzker said. “So, my expectation is on June 11 as projected, we will move to Phase 5.”
As vaccination rates increased, the number of infections, deaths and hospitalizations decreased dramatically in April and May. As of Tuesday, more than 67% of Illinoisans had received at least one dose and nearly 51% were fully vaccinated, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. From May 25 to 31, the percentage of COVID-19 tests coming back positive was 1.6%.
If COVID-19 numbers remain low, Illinois will move into Phase 5 a week from Friday, but the state could still go back to previous phases if new cases increase significantly and if at least one of the following happens over a 10-day period:
- Hospital intensive care unit availability drops below 20%
- Total hospitalizations or deaths increase significantly
As of Wednesday, the entire state was in the “bridge phase” between the fourth and fifth phases. Some capacity limits remained in the bridge phase.
COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS FOR THE BRIDGE TO PHASE 5
Dining: Patrons seated at least 6 feet apart with parties of 10 or less; 30% indoor standing capacity; 50% outdoor capacity.
Health and fitness: 60% capacity; Group fitness classes of 50 or fewer indoors or 100 or fewer outdoors.
Offices, personal care businesses, retail, amusement parks, museums, film production, spectator events, theaters and performing arts, zoos: 60% percent.
Festivals and general admission outdoor spectator events: 30 people per 1,000 square feet.
Flea and farmers markets: Indoor — 15 people per 1,000 square feet; Outdoor — 30 people per 1,000 square feet.
Meetings, conferences and conventions: Lesser of 1,000 people or 60% capacity.
Recreation: Indoor — Lesser of 100 people or 50% capacity; Outdoor — Maximum groups of 100; multiple groups permissible.
Social events: Indoor — 250 people; Outdoor — 500 people.
Spectator events (ticketed and seated): 60% capacity
Theaters and performing arts: 60% capacity
Zoos: 60% capacity
This story was originally published June 2, 2021 at 11:07 AM.
