Illinois Is Only State To Meet Fed Guidelines For Reopening

ACROSS ILLINOIS — Illinois is the only state in the U.S. that has followed federal health guidelines set up for reopening, and all four state regions have now met criteria to allow movement to the recovery phase Friday.

But on the eve of the state entering Phase 3 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's reopening plan, state officials are urging caution for those planning to visit salons, stores and outdoor seating at restaurants and bars.

In Phase 3, manufacturing, offices, retail, barbershops and salons can reopen to the public with reduced capacity and other safety precautions. Outdoor seating at bars and restaurants will also be available, though municipalities can decide if they want to put stricter guidelines in place regarding that. In addition, gatherings of 10 people or fewer will be allowed.

Illinois Coronavirus Update May 28: 115,833 cases, 5,186 deaths. Don't miss updates about precautions in the Chicago area as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

Face coverings and social distancing will continue to be the norm for those out and about, and state officials urge residents to be smart to avoid contracting and spreading the virus.

"Let's not move backward, but instead let's move forward together," Pritzker said during his daily briefing Thursday. In addition, if Illinois sees more cases in the coming weeks, we could be headed back to Phase 2, he said.

"It is possible that if we have a surge or spike, and we have to quell that spike, we may have to move backward," Pritzker said. But if everyone can follow the rules and cases continue to decline, the state could enter Phase 4 as early as June 26, he said.

In Phase 4, gatherings of 50 people or fewer are allowed, restaurants and bars reopen, travel resumes and child care and schools can reopen under guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Face coverings and social distancing are still the norm in phase 4.