New COVID-19 Mitigations Start Statewide on Friday, November 20

Last Updated November 17, 2020

As of Friday, November 20, the State of Illinois will be subject to additional COVID-19 mitigations due to "exponential spread" of COVID-19 throughout the State.
Indoor social gatherings cannot be held with members of other households, and many businesses will need to operate at reduced capacity.
The State projects that, without additional effective mitigations, hospitalizations may be as much as five times higher than their spring peak. Between 17,000 and 45,000 Illinois residents would die under this scenario.

COVID-19 mitigations as of Friday, November 20

Starting at 12:01 a.m. Friday, November 20, all regions within the State of Illinois will be subject to Tier 3 COVID-19 mitigations under the State's Restore Illinois Resurgence Plan.

This change has been triggered by "COVID-19 spread now exponential in every region of the state, our statewide positivity rate at record highs and hospitalizations already surpassing our Spring peak." Current State forecasts show that, without additional mitigations, hospitalizations and ICU occupancy may reach as high as five times their spring peak and result in between 17,000 to 45,000 deaths.

"Whenever possible, we need you to stay at home," said Governor J.B. Pritzker. “I’m hopeful that by limiting our in-person interactions, we will succeed at avoiding a stay at home order like what we had in the spring – when the choice between saving lives and saving livelihoods was even more stark."

Key mitigation measures effective November 10 include:

Retail: Grocery stores and pharmacies limited to 50% capacity; all other retail limited to 25% capacity.
Offices: All employees who can work remotely should work remotely.
Bars and Restaurants: Indoor service remains closed. Outdoor, curbside, and delivery continues.
Health and Fitness: Restricted to 25% capacity. No indoor group classes.
Adult and Youth Sports: No indoor group activities. Outdoor group activities limited to 10 or fewer.
Recreation and Cultural: Closure of casinos and indoor recreation centers such as theaters, performing art centers, museums, and amusement centers.
Social Gatherings: In-home gatherings limited to household members. No gatherings in meetings and event facilities.
Personal Care: Limited to lesser of 25 clients or 25% capacity. No services where a face covering cannot be worn.

COVID-19 mitigations as of Saturday, October 31

Starting at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, October 31, Lake County (including the Village of Lake Bluff) will be subject to COVID-19 mitigations under the State's Restore Illinois Resurgence Plan. The mitigations have been triggered by a 7-day rolling average test positivity rate of 8 percent or above for three consecutive days for our region (Lake and McHenry County). The following mitigations are applicable to Lake Bluff, excluding schools and polling places:

Bars

No indoor service
All outside bar service closes at 11:00 p.m.
All bar patrons should be seated at tables outside
No ordering, seating, or congregating at bar (bar stools should be removed)
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
No seating of multiple parties at one table

Restaurants

No indoor dining or bar service
All outdoor dining closes at 11:00 p.m.
Outside dining 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
No seating of multiple parties at one table

Meetings, Social Events, Gatherings

Limit to lesser of 25 guests or 25 percent of overall room capacity
No party buses

Under the Restore Illinois Resurgence Plan earliest these mitigations will be re-evaluated by the State is November 14. Please, support our local restaurants during this challenging time.

While bars and restaurants play a role in the transmission of COVID-19, state data shows that social gatherings - even small ones - are a leading contributor to transmission. If you must attend a gathering, do so outdoors and use a mask consistently.

COVID-19 cases continue to increase in our region and our county and COVID-19 will likely be prevalent through the holiday season. Carefully consider your holiday travel plans; we know that travel increases the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. The CDC has more information available here.

Phase 4 of Restore Illinois

Phase 4 of Restore Illinois

On June 26, our region moves to Phase 4 under the Restore Illinois plan. In Phase 4, many facets of regular life resume subject to the continued use of face coverings and social distance. This is the most advanced phase until there is a vaccine or effective treatment for COVID-19. Specific changes include:

Most businesses reopen with continued safety requirements including:
- Indoor fitness classes, recreation facilities, and open gyms.
- Museums and zoos.
- Outdoor spectator events.
- Youth sports.
- Theaters, cinemas, and performing arts.
Options for schools to conduct in-person learning based on local conditions.

Some things haven't changed. COVID-19 is still in our community, and social distancing and cloth face coverings will likely be facts of life until there is a vaccine or cure. You should continue to:

Stay at least six feet from members of other households.
Wear a face covering consistently when in public. If in doubt, wear your face covering.
Refrain from handshakes, hugs, and other physical contact.
Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, especially when leaving or returning home.
Stay home if you are feeling ill.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces often (daily at home).

For more information:

Read Phase 4 state guidelines for business reopening.

Restore Illinois: A Public Health Approach To Reopen Our State

Restore Illinois: A Public Health Approach To Reopen Our State

On May 5th, Governor Pritzker released Restore Illinois, a five-phase regionalized public health plan to reopen the state. The phases are:

Phase 1 (Rapid Spread): Strict stay at home and social distancing guidelines are put in place, and only essential businesses remain open.
Phase 2 (Flattening): Non-essential retail stores reopen for curb-side pickup and delivery. Illinoisans are directed to wear a face covering when outside the home and can begin enjoying additional outdoor activities like golf, boating, and fishing while practicing social distancing.
Phase 3 (Recovery): Manufacturing, offices, retail, barbershops, and salons can reopen to the public with capacity and other limits and safety precautions. Gatherings of up to 10 people allowed.
Phase 4 (Revitalization): Gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed. Restaurants, bars, childcare, and schools can all reopen under guidance from IDPH.
Phase 5 (Illinois Restored): The Illinois economy fully reopens with safety precautions continuing.

Currently, our region is in Phase 4 as of June 26. The State evaluates phase changes regionally based on the rate of positive COVID-19 tests, hospital admissions for COVID-19, and available surge capacity for hospitals. For more information:

All About Face Coverings

Both statewide and local emergency orders require that you wear a face covering that covers the nose and mouth when in public places where you cannot maintain six feet of social distance from others. If in doubt, wear your face covering.

Wearing face coverings will help safely reopen our local businesses and activities. COVID-19 is still a serious threat to your health and the health of those around you. Wearing a face covering reduces the risk that others will contract COVID-19 if you have the virus but do not have symptoms. Some evidence also suggests that face coverings reduce your risk of contracting the virus. It is still important to take precautions.

For example, you will need to wear a face covering if you are:

Working in or patronizing essential businesses open to the public.
Shopping for necessary supplies and services.
Visiting healthcare professionals.
Riding in public transportation, taxis, or ride shares.

For example, you are not required to wear a face covering if you are:

A child younger than two years old.
Someone who cannot safely wear a face covering (for example, due to a health condition).
Engaging in outdoor recreational activity while six feet from members of other households at all times.
Eating food or drink in an outdoor dining area.
Riding in personal automobiles alone or with household members.
Remaining at home or in a private space with members of the same household.

Not everyone has a face covering or is used to wearing one. Here are some tips:

The covering does not need to be a manufactured mask; it can be a scarf, a bandana, or a mask you make at home.
The most effective masks have multiple layers of fabric and are opaque (do not show light) when held up to a light source.
Do not use surgical masks or N95/KN95 respirators. These supplies are needed for health care workers and critical infrastructure.
Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth when removing the mask. Make sure to wash your hands immediately after removing it. Clean the mask frequently by using a washing machine.

Lake Bluff businesses are encouraged to post prominent notices to guests, such as these:

8.5" x 11" - color or black and white
11" x 17" - color or black and white

What we know about the COVID-19 coronavirus

Our understanding of COVID-19, and how to prevent it, is changing rapidly. This is the best information we have today from the Illinois Department of Public Health, in about 200 words:

The spread of COVID-19 is primarily by people who are in close contact by respiratory droplets. There is some evidence that suggests that even people who do not feel sick can spread the virus. This is why it is important to maintain social distance of six feet from others and to avoid contact like handshakes. People can also contract COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus, followed by touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.
Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 commonly include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Preliminary data suggest older adults, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems seem to be at greater risk of developing serious illness.
If you are sick and have respiratory symptoms, stay home unless you need medical attention. Remain in your home until you feel better and have no symptoms. Keep in mind there is no treatment for COVID-19 and people who are mildly ill can isolate at home. While at home, as much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people.
Those who need medical attention should contact their health care provider who will evaluate whether they can be cared for at home or need to be hospitalized. You should call ahead if you need to visit a medical provider.

For the most current health information, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health's website. For specific information about the spread of COVID-19 in Lake County, including the counts of laboratory-confirmed cases in each community, visit the Lake County Health Department dashboard.

What you can do to stay safe

Social Distancing. The most effective tool we have to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to reduce social contact with each other, even as businesses reopen and restrictions are relaxed. That means...

Keeping six feet of distance from others outside the home.
Limiting gatherings with members of other households.
Avoiding close contact like shaking hands or hugs.
Working from home or teleworking.
Avoiding shopping at peak hours and taking advantage of delivery and pickup services.
Avoiding public transit.
Calling to check on family, neighbors, and older adults instead of visiting.

At-Risk Populations. Preliminary data about COVID-19 suggests that older adults and people with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems seem to be at greater risk of developing serious illness. Everyone must home and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, but these people - and people that live with them - should be extremely cautious.

Prevention. Good hygiene can help prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as:

Wearing a cloth face covering (such as a mask) while outside the home.
Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially when leaving home or returning home.
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throwing the tissue in the trash.
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched objects and surfaces.
Staying home when you are sick except to get medical care.

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