Coronavirus Restrictions Relax In Suburban Cook County

FOREST PARK, IL — The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) issued a COVID-19 mitigation order on Wednesday that will ease mitigation measures in suburban Cook County, according to a news release. The relaxed restrictions go into effect Thursday, with the exception to Evanston, Skokie, Oak Park, and Stickney Township, serving 127 municipalities.

The order increases capacity limits in bars, restaurants and event spaces to the lesser of 25 percent or 50 people. The order also reinforces that those two and older that are able to tolerate mask wearing, do so when out in public.

"We are cautiously optimistic about relaxing some restrictions – but it is imperative that we are careful in light of the new, very transmissible variants we are seeing," said Dr. Rachel Rubin, Senior Medical Officer and Co-Lead, Cook County Department of Public Health. "We must also continue to wear masks, watch our distance, and wash our hands to continue the gains we are making."

The release states that health departments will continue to ease restrictions as progress is made in metrics including positivity rates, daily COVID-19 case counts and hospital use.

"We are aligned with the Chicago Department of Public Health and Stickney Township in our approach," said Dr. Kiran Joshi, Senior Medical Officer and Co-Lead, Cook County Department of Public Health. "Working together, we will continue to monitor metrics and make steps that protect the safety and health of Cook County residents."

For information on mitigation orders, vaccine distribution and to make an appointment to be inoculated, visit the Cook County Department of Public Health.