New mitigation measures could be implemented next week in Kankakee and Will Counties after the area saw its 7 day rolling positivity rate hit 8.0% Saturday.
Both counties, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, have seen their positivity rates jump by 1.3% since August 12th, when Region 7 was at 6.7%. Since then Region 7 has seen six consecutive days of positivity increases.
After three consecutive days of 8.0% rolling positivy rate or higher, a region would be pushed back and further mitigation efforts would be enacted. If the region continues to average greater than 8 percent over the course of two weeks after mitigations have been put into place, bars and indoor dining could be closed.
Region 4 has already seen such measures put into place. Region 4, adjacent to St. Louis in southwestern Illinois, has already seen such mitigation measures put into place. That Region now sits at 9.5% as of Saturday.
New mitigation measures that could be put into place by Tuesday include:
Bars
- All bars close at 11:00pm (matching new closing time at bars in St. Louis)
- No ordering, seating, or congregating at bar (bar stools should be removed)
- All bar patrons should be seated at tables inside and outside
- All indoor tables should be reduced to 6 persons or less
- Tables should be 6 feet apart
- No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting
- No dancing or standing indoors
- Reservations required for each party
Restaurants
- All restaurants close at 11:00pm (matching new closing time at bars in St. Louis)
- All indoor tables should be reduced to 6 people or less
- Tables should be 6 feet apart
- No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting
- Reservations required for each party
- If the restaurant also has a bar, the rules for bars apply
Meetings, social events and gatherings
- Limit to lesser of 25 guests or 25 percent of overall room capacity
- All reception halls closed
- No party buses
- Gaming and Casinos close at 11:00pm and are limited to 25 percent capacity
Organized group recreational activities (fitness centers, sports, etc.)
- No change
- All Sports Guidance effective August 15, 2020, remains in effect
- Outdoor Activities continue per current DCEO guidance
Once a region hits new mitigations, IDPH will track the positivity rate over a 14-day monitoring period to determine if mitigations can be relaxed, if additional mitigations are required, or if current mitigation should remain in place. If positivity rates averages less than or equal to 6.5 percent over a 14-day period, the region will return to Phase 4 mitigations under the Restore Illinois Plan. If the positivity rate averages between 6.5 percent and 8 percent, IDPH will continue to monitor the region to determine if additional mitigations are needed.
