New Restrictions Start Saturday In Highland Park: What To Know

Highland Park IL

28 October, 2020

2:00 PM

Description

HIGHLAND PARK-HIGHWOOD, IL — The Highland Park area will be under a slew of new coronavirus restrictions come Friday. Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday new restrictions begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday in Region 9, which includes Lake and McHenry counties, after the seven-day rolling average of coronavirus positivity rates eclipsed 8 percent for three days in a row. The state's regional COVID-19 mitigation measures include a ban on indoor service at restaurants and bars, as well as a 25-person cap on the size of public gatherings. Outdoor, drive-thru, take-out and delivery service at local restaurants is not impacted. The increased mitigations do not include any new limitations on retail stores, salons and personal-care businesses or group recreational activities. Polling places and school districts are also unaffected by the new restrictions. Check back to Highland Park Patch for the latest news on COVID-19. Sign up for the Highland Park Patch newsletter and breaking news alerts. And follow us on the Highland Park Patch Facebook pages. Public health officials will lift additional regional restrictions once those positivity rates drop below 6.5 percent for three days in a row. State officials could implement "Tier 2" mitigation strategies if regional positivity rates remain above 8 percent for 14 days. Tier 2 mitigations would include further limitations on in-person dining and social gatherings, a ban on indoor recreational activities, new restrictions at hospitals, and a return to curbside pickup from retail stores. Pritzker said his administration will give priority consideration to businesses in regions facing new restrictions through the state's $220 million Business Interruption Grants program. RELATED: Coronavirus Indoor Dining Ban Imposed On Lake, McHenry Counties Take a look below to see what's expected to change Saturday, and what isn't, under the state's new coronavirus restrictions in Highland Park: RESTAURANTS/BARS Must close by 11 p.m., can open no earlier than 6 a.m. No indoor serviceTables 6 feet apartReservations required for each party/only one party per tableNo bar stoolsNo dancing indoorsCustomers must not congregate while waiting to pick up orders PUBLIC EVENTS/SOCIAL GATHERINGS Limited to the lesser of 25 guests or 25 percent of overall room capacity (indoor and outdoor)No party busesCasinos/gaming establishments must close by 11 p.m./limited to 25 percent capacity (must follow restrictions for bars/restaurants if applicable)