Following recommendations from public health experts, Illinois will move forward to the Bridge phase on May 14 before entering the post-pandemic new normal of Phase 5.
This Bridge to Phase 5 will allow for higher indoor and event capacity limits and expanded business operations before public health experts tell us it is safe to move to Phase 5.
While regulations will be rolled back gradually, Illinoisans should continue following the public health guidelines that have kept us safe during the pandemic, like wearing a mask in public and social distancing.
So what changes between Phase 4 and the Bridge Phase? Here's a breakdown by category:
Dining
Phase 4: Seated areas: Patrons ≥ 6 feet apart; parties ≤ 10, Standing areas: 25% capacity
In Chicago: Indoors: 50% capacity with no more than 100 people per space; table size ≤ 6, Outdoors: 6 feet between parties; table size ≤ 10
Bridge Phase: Seated areas: Patrons ≥ 6 feet apart; parties ≤ 10, Standing areas: 30% capacity indoors; 50% capacity outdoors
In Chicago: 75% capacity with at least 6 ft. between parties; table size ≤ 10; Seating at bars/counters limited to 6 per party indoors and outdoors, Standing areas limited to 25% capacity
Health and fitness
Phase 4: 50% capacity, Group fitness classes of 50 or fewer indoors or 100 or fewer outdoors
Bridge Phase: 60% capacity, Group fitness classes of 50 or fewer indoors or 100 or fewer outdoors
Offices
Phase 4: 50% capacity
Bridge Phase: 60% capacity
Personal care
Phase 4: 50% capacity
Bridge Phase: 60% capacity
Retail and service counter
Phase 4: 50% capacity
Bridge Phase: 60% capacity
Amusement parks
Phase 4: 25% capacity
Bridge Phase: 60% capacity
Festivals and general admission outdoor spectator events
Phase 4: 15 people per 1,000 sq. ft.
Bridge Phase: 30 people per 1,000 sq. ft.
Flea and farmers markets
Phase 4: 25% capacity or 15 people per 1,000 sq. ft.
Bridge Phase: Indoor: 15 people per 1,000 sq. ft., Outdoor: 30 people per 1,000 sq. ft.
Meetings, conferences and conventions
Phase 4: Venue with capacity < 200 persons: Lesser of 50 people or 50% capacity *, Venue with capacity ≥ 200 persons: Lesser of 250 people or 25% capacity
Bridge Phase: Lesser of 1,000 people or 60% capacity
Museums
Phase 4: 25% capacity
Bridge Phase: 60% capacity
Recreation
Phase 4: Indoor: Lesser of 50 people or 50% capacity, Outdoor: Maximum groups of 50; multiple groups permissible
Bridge Phase: Indoor: Lesser of 100 people or 50% capacity, Outdoor: Maximum groups of 100; multiple groups permissible
Social events
Phase 4: Indoor: Lesser of 50 people or 50% capacity, Outdoor: Lesser of 100 people or 50% capacity
Bridge Phase: Indoor: 250 people, Outdoor: 500 people
Spectator events (ticketed and seated)
Phase 4: Indoor venue with capacity < 200 people: Lesser of 50 people or 50% capacity, Outdoor venue or indoor venue with capacity ≥ 200 people: 25% capacity
Bridge Phase: 60% capacity
Theaters and performing arts
Phase 4: Indoor venue with capacity < 200 persons: Lesser of 50 or 50% capacity, Outdoor venue or indoor venue with capacity ≥ 200 persons: 25% capacity
Bridge Phase: 60% capacity
Zoos
Phase 4: 25% capacity, Lesser of 50 or 50% at indoor exhibits
Bridge Phase: 60% capacity
To move to Phase 5, 50% of residents 16 and older will need to have received their first dose of the vaccine. Additionally, there will need to be no increase in COVID-19 metrics is recorded including a non-increasing trend in hospital admissions for COVID-19 like illness, COVID-19 patients in the hospital, and mortality rate while ICU bed availability must remain greater than or equal to 20%.