The State of Illinois released its guidelines for many types of industries and activities as we prepare to move into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan. Our region – like all of Illinois – is on track to begin Phase 4 on Friday, June 26.
During Phase 4, common public health standards remain in effect – including the use of face coverings and social distancing. However, Phase 4 allows for the safe reopening or expansion of several key business segments – such as health and fitness, movies and theater, museums and zoos, as well as indoor dining at restaurants. Phase 4 also allows for expanded gathering sizes, increasing the limit from 10 in Phase 3 to 50 people or fewer. This expanded gathering limit extends to key activities like meetings, events, and funerals. For full guidance and other resources visit: www.Illinois.gov/businessguidelines.
The following is a summary of the guidelines set by the State of Illinois for Phase 4:
All Industries
- All employees who can work from home should continue to do so
- Continue to wear face covering that covers nose and mouth, maintain social distance of 6 ft., and frequently wash hands
- Continue employee health screenings upon entry into the workplace and mid-shift screenings for employees with shifts >5 hours (virtual screening permitted)
- Follow guidelines on capacity limits and group sizes (to be continually reassessed throughout Phase 4)
Restaurants and Bars
- Indoor dining and drinking now permitted for parties of up to 10 people
- Seated areas should be arranged so that tables allow for 6 ft. between parties; impermeable barriers may be installed between booths that are less than 6 ft. apart
- Standing areas (in restaurants or bars) should be limited to no more than 25% of standing area capacity
- Buffets and self-service food stations (e.g. hot and cold bars, bulk items, baked goods) should adhere to additional minimum guidelines
- Self-service beverage fountains are permissible with the additional precautions
Retail and Service Counter
- Continue capacity limit of no more than 50% occupancy
- Mall food courts may reopen in line with Indoor Dining and Drinking guidelines
Personal Care
- Continue capacity limit of no more than 50% occupancy
- If services require customer to remove his or her mask, employee must wear both a face mask and eye protection (e.g., face shield, protective glasses)
- No time restrictions on massage or other services
Offices
- Continue capacity limit of no more than 50% occupancy
- In-person meetings of up to 50 people with social distancing permitted
- Continue health screenings, though employers may screen office employees via in-person conversation or questionnaire once at their workstation, or using virtual method
Meetings and Social Events
- Limit to the lesser of 50 people or 50% of room capacity
- Multiple groups may meet in the same facility if they are socially distanced and in separate rooms
- Groups should be static for duration of meeting or event. If event includes multiple sessions, participants should remain in one room, and speakers/ presenters should rotate between rooms or be digitally displayed (e.g. projected, live-streamed) in multiple rooms
- Dance floors should remain closed
- Food service should follow Restaurant and Bar guidelines
Health and Fitness
- Capacity limit of no more than 50% occupancy
- Group fitness classes of up to 50 people with at least 6 ft. social distancing between individuals permitted; multiple groups permitted given facilities have space to appropriately social distance and can limit interaction between groups
- Workout stations and equipment should be 6 ft. apart without barriers or 3 ft. apart with impermeable barriers in between
- For open gym spaces, have 1 employee per every 4,000 sq. ft. to monitor social distancing and sanitize equipment between use
- Sanitize equipment before and after each individual use and sanitize locker rooms and showers at least every hour
- Keep ancillary accommodations (e.g., saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms) closed, though childcare areas are permitted to reopen in line with DHFS childcare guidelines
- Members should wear face covering over their nose and mouth whenever not exercising
Indoor/Outdoor Recreation
- Reopening select indoor recreation facilities (e.g., bowling alleys, skating rinks); indoor playgrounds and trampoline parks should remain closed
- Indoor recreation to operate at lesser of 50 customers or 50% of facility capacity
- Outdoor recreation allowing group sizes of up to 50, and permitting multiple groups given facilities have space to appropriately social distance and can limit interaction between groups
- Activity stations should be spaced at least 6 ft. apart or limited in number to ensure social distancing
- Shared equipment should be disinfected before and after each use
- Clubhouses and other communal gathering places allowed to reopen
- Concessions permitted with restrictions
Youth and Recreational Sports
- Competitive gameplay and tournaments permitted
- Capacity limit of no more than 50% facility capacity, 20% seating capacity for spectators
- Group sizes limited to 50 participants total (including athletes, coaches, and referees); with multiple groups permitted during practice and competitive games given venues have space to appropriately social distance and can limit interaction between group
- Concessions permitted with restrictions
Day Camps
- Capacity limit of no more than 50% of facility occupancy
- Group sizes of 15 participants, unless participants changing weekly
- Water-based activities permitted according to IDPH guidelines
- Continue to encourage outdoor activities as much as possible, especially for activities requiring physical exertion and/or exertion of voice
Theaters and Performing Arts
- Seated theaters, cinemas, and performing arts centers for ticketed events with seating available for all customers permitted; general admission shows and/or events with standing room only are not permitted at this time
- Indoor capacity limit of 50 people or less or 50% of space capacity (applies to each screening room); outdoor capacity limited to 20% of overall space capacity
- Patrons should wear face coverings over their nose and mouth, except while seated within a venue (exceptions can be made for people with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from safely wearing a face covering)
- Concessions permitted with restrictions
Outdoor Seated Spectator Events
- Outdoor spectator events only; indoor spectator events not permitted at this time
- Tickets events with seating available for all customers permitted; general admission shows and/or events with standing room only are not permitted at this time
- Maximum of 20% of seating capacity for spectators
- Concessions permitted with restrictions
If you have questions or need additional support, call the state’s hotline at 1-800-252-2923, e-mail ceo.support@illinois.gov or go to www.Illinois.gov/businessguidelines.