Tier 3 resurgence mitigations: What it all means

Tier 3 resurgence mitigations went into effect statewide on Friday, Nov. 20. As with Tier 1 and Tier 2, masks and social distancing are required in all public spaces. 

The resurgence mitigations include the following guidelines:

Gathering limitations
Indoor gatherings of more than one household are prohibited. Outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people.

Restaurant, Bars, and Social Events/Banquets
No indoor service. Outdoor service is permissible provided establishments follow social distancing guidelines of 6-foot separations between tables with parties of six people or fewer. Such service should be by reservation only. Tents/temporary outdoor structures may be used provided they have at least two of the sides open to provide adequate air flow, and patrons inside a temporary outdoor structure must be seated, and tables must be spaced a minimum of six feet apart. Such structures must also adhere to state fire marshal standards.
Patrons must follow the restaurant and bar guidelines in the establishment, including wearing masks when waitstaff approach and when they are not eating or drinking at a table.
All bars and restaurants should close by 11 p.m., and open no earlier than 6 a.m.

Meetings/Gatherings 
Meeting rooms, banquet centers, private party rooms, country clubs, etc. may not host
meetings or events – including weddings – under any capacity.

Retail
Grocery stores and pharmacies can operate at 50% capacity. Retail and service counter stores that are not primarily engaged in the sale of groceries or medicinal drugs (pharmacies) are limited to 25% capacity. Big Box stores that sell both groceries and other items are limited to 25% capacity. 
Malls are restricted to 25% capacity within each store as well as in common areas, and mall food courts are restricted to take away services only. The capacity limits do not include employees.
Flea markets and farmer’s markets should operate at 25% capacity, or 15 people per 1,000 feet, with booths places the lesser of every third spot or 30 feet apart. 

Sports and Fitness Centers
Health and fitness centers are limited to 25% of occupancy at any given time. No group fitness classes are permitted, but one-on-one personal training is allowed. Health and fitness centers should configure workout stations to be six feet apart, adn locker rooms should be closed. Health and fitness facilities must use a reservation system to keep track of capacity as well as to to assist in potential contact tracing efforts.

Youth and Recreational Sports
All indoor group sporting and recreational activities including youth and adult recreational
sports are not permitted. One-on-one indoor sports are permitted. Teams may practice outdoors in groups of 10 or less, with proper social distancing. Competitive play is not permissible. Golf courses can continue to operate under the golf guidance. Professional sports and collegiate level sports teams are exempt from these mitigations.

Indoor Recreation
Movie theatres, museums, and bowling alleys are closed.

Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor recreational facilities, including outdoor exhibits at zoos and museums, can
continue to operate at 25% capacity. Outdoor group activities limited to 10 people or less, participants/guests must wear face coverings at all times

Casinos
Casinos are not permitted to operate. All video gaming terminals in bars, restaurants and other locations must be closed.

Personal Care Services
Personal services facilities such as spas, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, waxing
centers, tattoo parlors, and similar facilities may be open but must cap occupancy at no
more than 25%, and services that require patrons to remove face coverings are prohibited. Spa body services such as body scrubs, body wraps and other body treatments should not
be provided. Nail services are permissible with face coverings at all times, and at 25% capacity. Pet grooming is permissible at 25% capacity.

Places of Worship and Funerals
Religious organizations and houses of worship are strongly encouraged to consult and
follow the recommended practices and guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public
Health, including providing online, outdoor, or drive-in services. Funerals are limited to 10 family members of the decedents, not including staff.

Daycare
Daycares licensed by DCFS should continue to follow those guidelines. Day camps not licensed by DCFS can operate in group sizes of 15 or fewer.

The Illinois Department of Public Health 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 mitigation should remain in place.

In order to see a removal of Tier 3 mitigations and transition to Tier 2, a region must experience less than 12% test positivity rate for three consecutive days and greater than 20% available intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital bed availability and declining 7-day average COVID hospitalizations in 7 out of the last 10 days.

State and local law enforcement along with local health departments and the Illinois Department of Public Health are empowered to enforce the resurgence mitigations.

The full Tier 3 resurgence mitigation plan can be found at coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/restore-illinois-mitigation-plan.