The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Saturday night that the Southern Illinois Region that includes Marion, Jefferson, and Wayne Counties is advancing to Tier 1 Mitigation.
The change will allow indoor dining at 25-percent of capacity or 25 people per room effective immediately. The guidelines also say reservations are required and limited to two hours, no tables exceeding four people indoors, and bar and restaurant hours limited to 6 am to 11 pm. Bars must serve food for indoor service to qualify for reopening.
State officials say sports should follow the mitigation measures set forth in the All Sports Guidelines, which outlines appropriate levels of practice and competition based on individual sports risk. Face coverings must be worn at all times in fitness centers, including while engaged in individual exercise regardless of the person or machine spacing.
The change in guidelines is taking place because the test positivity rate has fallen below eight percent for three consecutive days as measured by the 7-day rolling average, greater than 20-percent available staffed ICU and Medical/Surgical Hospital beds are available based on a three day rolling average, and there has been no sustained increase in the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 for seven out of the past ten days on a seven-day average.
IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike says the Southern Illinois Region is the first in the state to be able to move to the lower level of mitigation.
“I am excited to see southern Illinois move into Tier 1 mitigations and I encourage them to continue to practice personal protective actions so they can get back to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan,” said Ezike. “This should serve as motivation for other regions. However, I do want to caution that moving back through tiers does not mean abandoning your mask or attending large events and gatherings. We must continue to watch our distance and wear our masks and get vaccinated when we become eligible.”
