Relaxed restrictions on gatherings, restaurants
By Josh Bootsma
LANSING, Ill. (February 2, 2021) – Lansing moved to Phase 4 of the IL COVID mitigation plan Tuesday, marking a return to the phase it was in from June through November of 2020.
Phase 4 excitement
As part of suburban Cook County, which makes up Region 10, Lansing and the surrounding IL communities will enjoy the most relaxed restrictions in the area since Region 10 entered into stricter mitigations branching off of Phase 4. The business-friendly move comes after suburban Cook County moved to Tier 1 on January 23.
“I am very excited and hopeful as we move into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan,” said Amy Todd, Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce Director. “As businesses can now increase numbers of customers and gatherings, things should start to improve for them. It will take a while until we are fully restored, so please remember to shop small and shop local.”
At the Village Board meeting on Tuesday, February 2, Village Communications Director Ken Reynolds told the Board, “First of all, this is great news for our restaurants and bars who have taken the biggest hit. … We’re trending in the right direction.” He mentioned the goal is to get to Phase 5, which would be as close to normal as possible, and allow for events at places like Fox Pointe to take place.
Cook County is more strict than State
Region 10 moved to Phase 4 because the test positivity rate has been less than 6.5% for three consecutive days (7-day average), its staffed ICU bed availability has been greater than 20% for three consecutive days (7-day average), and there has been no sustained increase in COVID patients in hospitals (7-day average for 7 of 10 days).
Although the state of Illinois has allowed relaxation of many previous restrictions, Cook County also released an order on Tuesday explaining that the county would not be seizing all the liberties allowed by the state, in the interest of public health. For example, although the statewide Phase 4 rules do not limit restaurants and bars to a percentage of maximum capacity, Cook County’s announcement imposes a 25% capacity or 25 person limit per room, whichever comes first—the same restriction for restaurants in bars in Tier 1 of the state’s plan. It is unclear when or if these restrictions at the county level will be eased and the Region will abide solely by the state Phase 4 regulations.
List of suburban Cook County Phase 4 restrictions
Bars, restaurants, private clubs, country clubs (All businesses that offer food or beverages for on-premises consumption—including, but not limited to, restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and food halls):
- Indoor service is limited to the lesser of 25 patrons or 25% of capacity per room.
- Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service. Bars, taverns or breweries without a food license can reopen indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment (e.g., making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services). Indoor and outdoor table size limited to no more than six people.
- Table placement must allow for parties to be seated 6 feet apart from one another. Bar seating allowed with 6feet between parties.
- All staff must be masked at all times. Patrons are required to be masked unless actively eating. Those seated at the bar must be masked and not allowed to sit unmasked unless eating or actively drinking. If a patron is unmasked a member of the restaurant staff must ask the customer to mask and if not complied with after requested to leave. Failure to require patrons to be masked will be seen as a violation of the establishment to operate safely.
- No congregating of patrons allowed prior to being seated. Customers waiting for a table must wait socially-spaced outdoors.
- Outdoor service includes:
- Rooms with retractable roofs
- Rooftops
- Multi-party structures, such as tents, with at least 50% of walls open
- Single-party structures, such as igloos, with proper ventilation
- Tables indoors within eight feet of an open wall or window that is at least 50% open to the outdoor air
Meetings, social events and gatherings – including, but not limited to, weddings, potlucks, etc.
- Indoor events allowed at the lesser of 25% capacity, or a maximum of 25 individuals. Events must follow indoor dining guidelines.
Indoor and outdoor activities
- Parks, Outdoor Flea Markets, Outdoor Attractions, and professional major and minor league sports stadiums
- Each outdoor space is limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 100 individuals, while practicing social distancing.
- Indoor spaces (e.g., field houses, indoor exhibit spaces) limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals per partitioned space.
- Zoos limited to 25% capacity
- Indoor Recreation Centers (e.g., bowling alleys, arcades)
- Indoor spaces limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals per space.
- If the facility has an outdoor component, each outdoor space is limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 100 individuals, while practicing social distancing.
- Organized Group Recreational Activities (i.e., sports, indoor sports & activities facilities) Not applicable to professional sports.
- Limit group sporting and recreational activities including youth and adult recreational sports to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals indoors. This includes park districts and travel leagues.
- Individual training may continue (with facility reservation)
- Locker rooms and showers can remain open, if strict and frequent cleaning measures are in place.
- Illinois All Sports Policy is required to be followed for sports play level and allowances.
- All sports participants playing indoors must be masked or play risk level will be elevated per Illinois All Sports Policy.
Arts and culture
- Museums
- Capacity limited to 25% occupancy.
- Guided tours limited to 50 individuals per group.
- Performance Venues and Movie Theaters
- Indoor spaces limited to the lesser of 40% capacity or a maximum of 50 individuals per space.
- If the facility has an outdoor component, each outdoor space is limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 100 individuals, while practicing social distancing.
- Film & TV Production
- Encourage production to limit groups of cast and crew to no more than 50 individuals in confined rooms or spaces
- Limit capacity to 50% for all indoor spaces, while still adhering to gathering size restriction
Health and fitness centers
- Indoor facilities are limited to a maximum of 40% capacity
- Gatherings of employees and customers in common areas (e.g., check-in area) is limited to a maximum of 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
- Indoor fitness classes limited to 15 individuals.
- Outdoor fitness classes are limited to a maximum of 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
- Locker rooms and showers can remain open if strict and frequent cleaning measures are in place.
- Ancillary accommodations, including saunas and steam rooms, where social distancing and frequent cleaning can not take place, must remain closed.
Personal services
- Indoor space limited to the lesser of 40% capacity or 50 individuals, while practicing social distancing.
- If a service requires the removal of face coverings (e.g., facials, beard trimmings) employees must wear both a mask and eye protection (e.g. face shield, protective glasses)
Retail stores
- General merchandise stores, “big box” stores that offer groceries and pharmacy, and convenience stores limited to a maximum of 40% capacity.
- Grocery stores and pharmacies limited to a maximum of 50% capacity.
- Gatherings of employees and customers at choke points is limited to no more than 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
- Smoking is permitted in hookah stores, cigar lounges and other retail tobacco shops. Limited to the lesser of 25% capacity, or 25 individuals per room, while ensuring proper social distancing
Hotel & accommodations
- Gatherings in common spaces (e.g. lobby area) is limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
- Fitness centers limited to a maximum of 40% capacity.
- Event and meeting spaces limited to 25% capacity, to a maximum of 25 individuals.
Short term rentals
- Gatherings limited to no more than 10 individuals in a single rental property or associated building common area/room, following building and individual property owner guidance.
Office buildings
- All employees who can work remotely are encouraged work remotely.
- If remote work is not possible, limit capacity to 40% for all indoor spaces, including tenant spaces.
- Limit gatherings of occupants in cafeterias, meeting rooms, tenant lounges, and other gathering points to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals.
Residential buildings
- Indoor gatherings within private residences limited to 10 individuals.
- Limit capacity in common areas and amenity spaces (e.g., conference rooms, tenant lounges) to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals for indoor spaces or activities, while ensuring proper social distancing.
Businesses
- Manufacturing
- Limit gatherings of employees in cafeterias, meeting rooms and other gathering points to no more than 50 people, while ensuring proper social distancing.
- Construction
- Limit capacity to no more than 50 people in any meetings or choke points on the site (e.g., ingress/egress spots)
- Transportation and Warehousing
- Limit gatherings of employees in cafeterias, meeting rooms and other gathering points to no more than 50 people, while ensuring proper social distancing.
Healthcare
- Limit gatherings of individuals in cafeterias, meeting rooms, and other gathering points to no more than 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
Transportation
- Busses/Trains
- 15 passenger limit on 40-ft buses.
- 22 passenger limit on 60-ft buses and all train cars.
- Taxis and Rideshares
- Vehicles limited to a maximum of 9 individuals, including the driver.
The full Cook County order is available here. An overview of the State of Illinois’ Phase 4 restrictions is available here.
Related
- Cook County moves to Tier 1—indoor dining allowed (January 23, 2021)
Remembering 2020: A Lansing COVID-19 timeline (December 30, 2020)
