Illinois officials will impose new health restrictions Tuesday for Metro East restaurants, bars and gatherings to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
Changes announced Sunday include closing bars, restaurants and casinos by 11 p.m., requiring no more than six people at indoor tables, placing tables six feet apart and requiring reservations for groups at bars and restaurants.
Illinois officials said in July that new restrictions for counties would be implemented if the seven day coronavirus positivity rate met or exceeded 8% for three consecutive days. The Metro East reached that threshold Friday through Sunday. Data from the Illinois Department of Public Health shows the Metro East has also seen coronavirus positivity increases for eight days and two days of hospital admission increases.
Other restrictions include:
- Removing bar stools to stop ordering, seating and congregating at bars
- Limiting meetings or social gatherings to the lesser of 25 people or 25% of overall room capacity
- Requiring all bar and restaurant customers to be seated at tables inside and outside
- No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors at bars and restaurants while waiting for a table or exiting
- No dancing or standing indoors
- Closing all reception halls
- Closing all party buses
The guidelines apply to St. Clair, Madison, Bond, Clinton, Monroe, Randolph, and Washington counties.
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