WILL ILLINOIS SHUT DOWN AGAIN?

For daily updates, visit graphics. suntimes. com/ covid- 19/ restore- illinois: On July 15, Gov. J. B. Pritzker unveiled a new plan to slow the spread of COVID- 19 by splitting the state into 11 regions, instead of the four outlined in his original Restore Illinois plan. The changes aim to take a more granular approach in case of a coronavirus resurgence, targeting smaller areas than the original plan. If a region surpasses certain thresholds, officials can tighten restrictions from the “menu” of options outlined in the new tiered system. Information about each tier is below, along with data to show how close each of the 11 regions are to implementing additional coronavirus restrictions.

KEY POINTS OF VIRUS RESTRICTION TIERS: Tier 1

• Bars and restaurants: Reduce indoor dining capacity and suspend indoor bar service.

• Hospitals: Reduce elective surgeries and procedures; limit visitations at hospitals.

• Meetings, social events and religious gatherings: More limits on gatherings and room capacity.

• Retail, organized group recreational activities and gyms: Reduce indoor capacity.

Tier 2

• Bars and restaurants: Suspend indoor dining and bar service.

• Hospitals: Suspend elective surgeries and procedures.

• Organized group recreational activities and gyms: Suspend organized indoor recreational activities.

• Retail: Suspend in- person non- essential retail; online and curbside pickup available for all.

Tier 3

• Bars and restaurants: Suspend in- person dining; takeout only.

• Offices: Remote work for all non- essential workers.

• Organized group recreational activities and gyms: Suspend organized indoor and outdoor recreational activities.

• Retail: Only essential retail open, such as grocery stores and pharmacies.

• Salons and personal care: Suspend operations.

WHAT COULD CAUSE A REGION TO BECOME MORE RESTRICTIVE?

• The three- day rolling average positivity rate surpasses 8%.

• OR IF the seven- day rolling average positivity rate increases for seven out of the past 10 days AND one of the following three data points are met:

• The number of hospital admissions for COVID- like illness increases for seven days in a row.

• The percentage of medical surge hospital beds falls below 20%.

• The percentage of ICU hospital beds falls below 20%.