SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KMOX/AP) - The entire state of Illinois is under new, tougher restrictions as the state recorded more than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases for the 11th consecutive day, Tuesday. Gov. JB Pritzker announced today that all 11 regions in the state will move into "Tier 3" mitigations on Friday.
The new restrictions include the closure of indoor recreation and entertainment such as casinos, theaters, and museums and a retails stores such as Target and Walmart must operate at no more than 25% capacity. Grocery stores may operate at 50% capacity.
"If you don’t need to do it, don’t," Pritzker said. "This is a temporary set of rules that are designed by doctors to keep you safe."
Gym will be allowed to remain open, but group fitness classes will be canceled. Personal care services such as beard trimmings and facials that require the removal of face mask are also not allowed under the new restrictions.
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"This new tier aims to limit gatherings and encourages people to stay home to the greatest extent possible, while permitting some industries to remain open at significantly reduced capacities with proper safety measures in place," states the Illinois Coronavirus Response page.
Read the full restrictions here.
The Illinois Department of Public Health recorded 12,601 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
Hospitalizations also continue to rise, to 5,887 Tuesday, a 24% increase from a week ago. The spike in the most seriously ill is seen in those needed breathing assistance from ventilators. Ventilators usage was at 545 Tuesday, a 37% increase in the past seven days.
Pritzker and his public health advisers continue to plead with the public to slow transmission of the highly contagious virus by staying home as much as possible, wearing coverings over nose and mouth when going outside, and staying at least 6 feet away from other people.
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