With a new wave of COVID-19 across the state and the nation, effective November 20 at 12:01 a.m., new mitigation requirements (Tier 3) will go into effect for all 11 regions of Illinois. Tier 3 builds on the Resurgence Mitigation Plan first released in July to suppress the spread of the virus and ensure our hospitals do not become overrun. The new tier aims to limit gatherings and encourages people to stay home to the greatest extent possible, while permitting some industries to remain open at significantly reduced capacities with proper safety measures in place.
The Tier 3 restrictions include the following:
- Retail – operate at no more than 25% capacity. Grocery stores and pharmacies may operate at up to 50% capacity. Businesses should also ensure its employees comply with face-covering requirements.
- Restaurants – all restaurants close at 11 p.m. and no indoor service is allowed. All bar and restaurant patrons should be seated at tables outside. Tables should be 6 feet apart with no more than 6 people at a table. Reservations are required. Meeting rooms, banquet centers and private party rooms may not host gatherings. Dining within outdoor tents is allowed, as long as at least two sides of the tent are open.
- Health and Fitness – operate at no more than 25% capacity. No indoor group classes. Face coverings must be worn at all times and reservations are required.
- Personal Care – operate at the lesser of 25 clients or 25% capacity. Face coverings must be worn at all times by clients and service providers. Services where a face covering cannot be worn (facials, beard trims) are suspended. Physical, occupational and massage therapy is allowed as deemed necessary by a medical provider, but appointments must be spaced by a minimum of 15 minutes so that the facilities can be sanitized.
IDPH will continue to track the positivity rates and hospital capacity metrics in regions over a 14-day monitoring period to determine if mitigations can be relaxed, if additional mitigations are required, or if current mitigations should remain in place. In order for a region to move back to Tier 2 mitigations, a region must experience less than a 12 percent test positivity rate for three consecutive days and greater than 20 percent available intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital bed availability and declining COVID hospitalizations in 7 out of the last 10 days.
How You Can Help: Take Action Against COVID-19
Mitigation measures are based on COVID-19 positivity rates. To help reduce mitigation measures, the spread of COVID-19 must decrease. You can help support your local businesses by acting responsibly to slow the spread of illness, by following the below guidance from the CDC:
- Maintain a 6 feet social distance minimum.
- Wear a mask when in public.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Clean and sanitize commonly used surfaces.
- Quarantine for 14 days if returning from a COVID-19 hotspot.
- Avoid group gatherings.
- Stay home when you are sick or experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
- Get tested.
- Avoid contact with others that are sick or experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
How You Can Help: Continue to Support our Businesses
COVID-19 has significant impacts on our businesses. To assist our local businesses, the Village has compiled a list of resources and information. All La Grange residents are asked to please continue to support our restaurants and retailers via carry out, curbside pickup and delivery options or by purchasing gift cards for later use.