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The original item was published from 6/23/2020 12:09:59 PM to 7/9/2020 3:30:40 PM.

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Posted on: June 23, 2020

[ARCHIVED] Illinois Set to Enter Phase 4 of Reopening Plan on June 26

Restore Illinois

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

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