US: Health officials in Illinois further ease restrictions in most counties in the state as of Jan. 27 /update 29

Event

Officials in Illinois continue easing restrictions in most of the state's counties as of Jan. 27, due to decreases in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity and hospitalizations. Travel restrictions in the city of Chicago remain unchanged.

Authorities continue to use the Restore Illinois Mitigation plan, under which the state is divided in 11 regions, and restrictions are imposed in each region depending on COVID-19 infection and hospitalization levels, as well as positivity rates in tests.

Under the most recent directives, no region is at Tier III the highest level of restrictions of the state's plan, and only Region 4 (which comprises Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington counties), is on Tier II, under which indoor services at food and drink establishments remain banned, and outdoor services must close daily between 2300-0600. Gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed. Cultural institutions may open at 50-percent capacity, 10-people group classes at gyms are allowed, and organized recreational and sports activities may resume.

Regions 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 are on Tier I, under which indoor services at food and drink establishments may operate at a 25-percent capacity with a maximum of four people per table; they must continue closing daily between 2300-0600. Meetings, events, and gatherings of up to 25 people, or 25-percent of a venue's capacity, are allowed, and organized sports tournaments can resume. Gyms and fitness centers and cultural institutions may open at 50-percent capacity. The counties currently at Tier I are:

Region 7: Kankakee and Will
Region 8: DuPage, and Kane
Region 9: Lake, and McHenry
Region 10: Cook
Region 11: City of Chicago

Regions, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 have moved out of the Tiers, and are back at Phase 4 of the state's plan, under which gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed, food and drink establishments can operate without time limits or specific capacity limits; however, tables must be separated by at least 1.8 meters (six feet) and tables must be limited to 10 people indoors. The counties currently at Phase 4 are:

Region 1: Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago
Region 2: Bureau, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Kendall, Knox, La Salle, Livingston, Marshall, McDonough, McLean, Mercer, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, and Woodford
Region 3: Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Christian, Greene, Hancock, Jersey, Logan, Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, and Scott
Region 5: Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, White, and Williamson
Region 6: Champaign, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, De Witt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Iroquois, Jasper, Lawrence, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Richland, Shelby, and Vermillion

State officials also maintain in place an order for individuals over the age of two to wear a facemask whenever they cannot maintain social distancing measures outside their household.

Additionally, in the city of Chicago, a travel restrictions order remains in place. Travelers entering from US states and territories with an average of more than 15 daily new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents (Orange-level areas) must self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the city or have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to their arrival. As of Jan. 27, 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are at Orange level.

Travelers from states and territories with an average of less than 15 daily new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents (Yellow Level) will not be required to self-quarantine or take a COVID-19 prior to traveling. Only Hawaii is at the Yellow Level, as of Jan. 27. Officials update the list every two weeks.

All operating establishments must comply with strict mandates to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, including the use of protective facemasks or other personal protective equipment and the enforcement of social-distancing guidelines, among other things.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.