New Restrictions Start Saturday In Highland Park: What To Know

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.

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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 service
• Tables 6 feet apart
• Reservations required for each party/only one party per table
• No bar stools
• No dancing indoors
• Customers 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 buses
• Casinos/gaming establishments must close by 11 p.m./limited to 25 percent capacity (must follow restrictions for bars/restaurants if applicable)