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 Currently, every region of the state is in Phase 4
of the five-phase Restore Illinois mitigation plan, with Phase 5
comprising a post-pandemic normalcy as detailed
here. The newly announced metrics offer Illinois a bridge
between the state’s current Phase 4 restrictions and the “new
normal” operations of Phase 5. This “Bridge Phase” will serve as a
transition period with higher capacity limits and increased business
operations, without prematurely embracing a reckless reopening
before the majority of Illinoisans have been vaccinated. All regions
of the state will move through the Bridge Phase and ultimately to
Phase 5, together. The state’s mask mandate will continue in
accordance with current CDC guidance.
“COVID-19 has not gone away, but the light we can see at the end of
the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter as more people get
vaccinated,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It’s time to begin to
cautiously move toward normalcy, and it’s imperative that we do so
in a way that maintains all the progress we’ve made to date. With
projections from the Biden Administration indicating that weekly
vaccine deliveries to Illinois will surpass one million doses in
April, it is fully in our power to turn the page on this dark and
devastating chapter even as we race a tough clock: the new variants.
I invite all Illinoisans to join me in wearing your mask and getting
vaccinated when it’s your turn. Step by step, we can get out of this
the same we came into it – together.”
“We want and need to move forward, but we must be measured and
cautious in the approach,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.
“Rather than flipping a switch and saying we’re now in Phase 5,
we’re looking at it more like a dial – dialing back some of the
capacity restrictions that helped reduce transmission, and
ultimately the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. We
don’t want to move too quickly and risk a significant reversal of
our progress.”
"We are proud to have worked alongside IDPH and our industry
partners to craft guidelines that will allow a safe return for some
of the biggest economic drivers in our state," said Sylvia Garcia,
Acting Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity (DCEO). “This measured approach to reopening under
Governor Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan will help support a
sustained economic recovery for our businesses and communities.”
METRICS AND GUIDELINES
As Illinois moves towards our new normal, the administration is
outlining clear metrics that will allow the state to continue
progressing in the battle against COVID-19 without sacrificing the
gains made over the last twelve months.
The bridge to Phase 5 allows for higher capacity limits at places
like museums, zoos and spectator events as well as increased
business operations. As with all mitigations the administration has
implemented to combat the virus to date, the Bridge Phase is based
on science and was developed by health experts.
To advance into the Bridge Phase, the entire state must reach a 70%
first dose vaccination rate for residents 65 and over, maintain a
20% or lower ICU bed availability rate and hold steady on COVID-19
and COVID-like illness hospital admissions, mortality rate, and case
rate over a 28-day monitoring period. To advance to Phase 5, the
state must reach a 50% vaccination rate for residents age 16 and
over and meet the same metrics and rates required to enter the
transition phase, over an additional 28-day period.
To prevent a large increase in new COVID-19 cases, Illinois will
revert back to an earlier phase if over the course of 10 days the
state experiences an increasing trend in COVID-19 and COVID-like
illness hospital admissions, a decrease in ICU bed availability, an
increase in the mortality rate, and an increasing case rate.
In an update to current Phase 4 mitigations and the capacity limits
of the bridge to Phase 5, individuals with proof of full vaccination
or a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) 1-3 days prior to an event or
outing do not count against capacity limits. The mitigation plan
announced today also includes additional adjustments to current
Phase 4 mitigations, made in coordination with business leaders and
health experts, to ensure mitigations reflect the latest science and
are consistent across industries.
As regulations are rolled back gradually in the weeks ahead,
Illinoisans should continue practicing the public health guidelines
that have kept us safe during the pandemic, including wearing face
coverings and maintaining social distance.
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“Today’s announcement provides what retailers across
Illinois have been seeking: a clear path forward to a full
re-opening that will help stem the devastation the pandemic has
inflicted on the industry. This will also help bring some financial
stability to state and local governments that rely on the vital
revenue stream retail generates. With the expanding availability of
vaccines – including those offered at hundreds of retail pharmacy
locations across Illinois – we are hopeful the pathway toward a full
re-opening will be a short one,” said Rob Karr, President and CEO,
Illinois Retail Merchants Association.
“The plan outlined by Governor Pritzker is a step in the right
direction, and we appreciate him understanding the need for a
roadmap to allow hotels and convention centers to hold larger
meetings and events,” said Michael Jacobson, President and CEO,
Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association. “This underscores the
importance of providing clarity to event planners, supports our
shared goal of getting people back to work safely, and illustrates
why the Governor’s announcement reflects his desire to serve as the
chief marketing officer for the state.”
“While we still have a long way to go, today’s announcement is an
important step towards recovery,” said Sam Toia, President and CEO,
Illinois Restaurant Association. "We have urged Governor Pritzker to
set a path to allow for expanded events with extensive safety
measures in place, and this pragmatic approach to loosening
restrictions will greatly enhance business opportunities for
restaurants, event companies, conventions, and culinary tourism —
all of which are critical to Illinois’ economic engine.”
COVID-19 VACCINE AVAILABILITY
Since the COVID-19 vaccine was first made available in Illinois last
December, the state has administered over 4.3 million doses. Through
partnerships with local health departments, pharmacies, community
health centers and other care providers, the state is currently
administering an average of 100,000 vaccines each day. So far, the
state has administered the COVID-19 vaccine to more than 1 in 4
Illinois adults over the age of 16, including over 58% of
Illinoisans ages 65 and over.
Since coming into office two months ago, the Biden Administration
has taken the weekly vaccine distribution to states from 8.6 million
when it came into office to over 16 million this week. Back in
December, the first shipment that came into Illinois was about
109,000 doses. This week, including the federal government’s
allocations for pharmacy partners, community health centers, the
United Center and the City of Chicago, more than 800,000 doses were
delivered to Illinois. Based on current projections, the state
expects that number to surpass one million doses a week in April.
Thanks to an increased allocation of vaccine doses from the federal
government, all Illinois residents will be eligible to receive the
vaccine beginning April 12th. At that date, all state-supported mass
vaccination sites, local health departments, pharmacy partners – in
short, every jurisdiction that receives vaccine from the State of
Illinois’ allocation – will be instructed to move to widespread
eligibility.
Currently, all vaccines are administered by appointment only. While
vaccine eligibility is expanding on April 12th, making an
appointment to receive a shot may take time. Information regarding
vaccination locations as well as details on how to book an
appointment to receive the vaccine can be found at the state’s COVID
website, coronavirus.illinois.gov. Residents who don’t have access
to or need assistance navigating online services can call the
toll-free IDPH hotline at 833-621-1284 to book an appointment. The
hotline is open 7 days a week from 6am to midnight with agents
available in English and Spanish.
Illinoisans who are not currently eligible to receive the vaccine
cannot schedule an appointment for a future date. Residents are
encouraged to be patient in the days and weeks following April 12th
as vaccination appointments may be limited.
To date, the FDA has authorized the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
for use in 16- and 17-year-olds as well as adults. The Johnson &
Johnson and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are currently FDA authorized
for use in those 18 and older.
[Office of the Governor JB Pritzker] |
