New Restrictions Start Friday In Manhattan: What To Know

MANHATTAN, IL — Manhattan will be under a slew of new coronavirus restrictions come Friday.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced earlier this week that state official will impose new restrictions Friday on Region 7 (Will and Kankakee) and Region 8 (Kane and DuPage counties) and after positivity rates in those two regions eclipsed 8 percent for three straight days.

The state’s regional coronavirus-mitigation strategies include a ban on indoor service at restaurants and bars, as well as a cap on the size of public gatherings.

The increased mitigations do not include any new restrictions on retail stores, salons and personal-care businesses, or group recreational activities.

No Indoor Dining, Drinking In Will-Kankakee Amid Surge In Cases

Public health officials will lift additional regional restrictions once those positivity rates drop below 6.5 percent for three days in a row. State officials could implement “Tier 2” mitigation strategies if regional positivity rates remain above 8 percent for 14 days.

Tier 2 mitigations would include further limitations on in-person dining and social gatherings, a ban on indoor recreational activities, new restrictions at hospitals, and a return to curbside pickup from retail stores.

Will-Kankakee Hospitalizations Increase; ICU Availability Falls

Pritzker said his administration will give priority consideration to businesses in regions facing new restrictions through the state’s $220 million Business Interruption Grants program.

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Take a look below to see what’s expected to change Friday, and what isn’t, under the state’s new coronavirus restrictions in Manhattan.

RESTAURANTS/BARS

• Must close by 11, can open no earlier than 6 a.m.
• No indoor service
• Tables 6 feet apart
• Reservations required for each party/only one party per table
• No bar stools
• No dancing indoors
• Customers must not congregate while waiting to pick up orders

PUBLIC EVENTS/SOCIAL GATHERING

• Limited to the lesser of 25 guests or 25 percent of overall room capacity (indoor and outdoor)
• No party buses
• Casinos/gaming establishments must close by 11 p.m./limited to 25 percent capacity (must follow restrictions for bars/restaurants if applicable)

GROUP RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES — fitness centers, sports, etc.

• No changes due to new restrictions - all guidance effective Aug. 15 remains in effect
• Outdoor activities can continue under current DCEO guidance

Abhinanda Datta contributed to this report.