Oct. 28, 2020 2:55p
(WGTD)---As a result of a new increase in cases of COVID-19, the Illinois Dept. of Health is re-instituting bans on indoor dining and drinking in restaurants and bars in adjacent Lake and McHenry, the two counties that are just south of the state border. The prohibition takes effect on Saturday.
"The rate of new infections is surging in our region--a steeper curve than we saw in the spring," said Mark Pfister, Executive Director of the Lake County Health Dept. The state announced a similar move in Cook County earlier in the week.
There is, however, nothing other than common sense from stopping Illinois residents from traveling to Wisconsin to eat, drink and shop--and many of them did just that earlier this year when similar restrictions were in place with few mandates in Wisconsin localities. The flood of Illinois residents alarmed many in Lake Geneva, a tourist town that under normal circumstances would welcome visitors with open arms. In Kenosha, parking lots at Lake Michigan beaches were filled with Illinois registrations.
Gov. Evers' 25% capacity limits were put on hold this month by an appeals court.
A 50% capacity limit on bars, restaurants and other public places is currently working its way through the Kenosha City Council after some foot-dragging last month.
The new rules for Lake and McHenry counties, while banning indoor service, allow bars and restaurants to serve outside and offer take-out. Meetings, social events and gatherings are limited to the lesser of 25 guests or 25% overall room capacity.
The new measures are going into effect because the region's seven-day test positivity rate average is above 8%. The new regulations will stay in place until the rate drops below 6.5% over a three-day period.
-0-
