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What Changes in Champaign County Under Tier 3 Mitigations?

Champaign county tier 3 mitigations

Like the rest of the state, Champaign County and Region 6 of the Restore Illinois plan are expected to adhere to new mitigations to help fight the spread of COVID-19. Here are some of the changes that are going into effect that you should know.

Retail Businesses

Retail stores are permitted to stay open and continue practicing safe practices to keep employees and customers healthy. The changes included in Tier 3 mitigations for retail stores include:

• Operate at no more than 25% capacity, including general merchandise stores, "big box" stores that offer groceries and pharmacy, and convenience stores
• Grocery stores and pharmacies may operate at up to 50% capacity
• Encourage delivery or curbside pickup options wherever possible
• When in-store shopping is necessary, promote efficient trips and consistent circulation

Personal Care Services

Personal care services like salons and physical therapy centers are able to continue to safely provide many of the services they have during the pandemic. A few notable changes under Tier 3 mitigation efforts include:

• Operate at lesser of 25 clients or 25% capacity
• Face coverings must be worn at all times by clients and service providers
• Suspend services where a face covering cannot be worn (e.g. facials, beard trims)
• Physical, occupational and massage therapy allowed as deemed necessary by a medical provider, but appointments must be spaced by a minimum of 15 minutes and facilities should take steps to sanitize and circulate clean air through service rooms before and after each service
• Virtual consultations recommended

Health and fitness centers

Health and fitness centers are still permitted to stay open, with the following Tier 3 mitigation efforts in effect:

• Operate at no more than 25% capacity
• No indoor group classes
• Face coverings must be worn at all times, including while engaged in individual exercise regardless of person or machine spacing
• Reservations required
• Locker room areas should be closed

Hotels

Hotels are also undergoing a few alterations during Tier 3 mitigation efforts. These measures include:

• Hotel room occupancy should be limited to registered guests only, with the maximum allowance being the number of individuals permissible per existing fire code for each applicable guest room
• Fitness centers should be closed, or operated only on a reservation model, with capacity limited to 25% of the maximum occupancy for the room.
• Grab and go food allowed
• Event and meeting space closed

Bars and restaurants

Bars and restaurants are still not permitted to offer indoor service at this time. Under Tier 3 mitigation, the following measure apply to bars and restaurants. Please note that a great way to continue supporting businesses safely if you do not wish to dine outdoors is to order curbside pickup. Visit Champaign County continues to update our Business Updates and Cancellations page regularly. Find info about specific restaurants and bars here: (https://www.visitchampaigncounty.org/business-updates-and-cancellations)

• All bars and restaurants close at 11pm and may reopen no earlier than 6am the following day
• No indoor service
• All bar and restaurant patrons should be seated at tables outside
• No ordering, seating, or congregating at bar (bar stools should be removed)
• Tables should be 6 feet apart
• No standing or congregating outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting
• No dancing or standing indoors
• No tables exceeding 6 people
• Reservations required for each party
• No seating of multiple parties at one table
• Indoor gaming terminals must suspend operations
• Includes private clubs and country clubs

Meetings and social events

Meetings and social events are a known source of recent COVID-19 spread in the state of Illinois and in Champaign County. Please note the related Tier 3 Mitigation efforts:

• Limit in home gatherings to household members
• Meeting rooms, banquet centers, private party rooms, private clubs and country clubs may not host gatherings
• No party buses
• Funerals are limited to 10 family members of the decedents, not including staff, see IDPH guidance

Indoor recreation (museums, bowling alleys, theaters)

Museums and indoor recreation centers are expected to adheer to the following Tier 3 Mitigations:

• Indoor recreation centers, including theaters, performing arts centers and indoor museums and amusement centers close
• Live streaming of performances encouraged with social distancing of performers and minimum operational staff

safe practices Heading into colder months

As the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District continues to emphasize, colder months mean more time spent indoors. Indoor activity and visits with individuals and groups outside of the people with whom you live increase your risk for contracting COVID-19. Please ensure that you are following the CUPHD's Holiday Season Safety Tips and continue to follow their COVID-19 Updates as well as regular Facebook and Twitter updates.

This is a particularly tough time for our local businesses all over the greater Champaign County area. Consider shopping local this holiday season with our 2020 Shop Local Guide and always striving to shop small when possible. For a regularly updated collection of business information, hours, and operations, please continue to follow our Business Updates and Cancelations page.

Thank you for continuing to help keep Champaign County Safe