New state regulations as a result of slowing COVID-19 positivity rates in the Metro East Region 4 will allow the area to move to Phase 4 reopening rules, according to an Oct. 14 release from the office of Senator Steve McClure (R—Dist. 50).
In the Metro East area, which encompasses Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington Counties, indoor dining can resume, and gathering size limit has been increased to 50.
When the state's COVID-19 positivity rate surged past 8% in mid-August, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) instated stricter restrictions for the area, which remained in place until the positivity rate dropped below 6.5% for three consecutive dates in early October.
Portions of Illinois are still under heightened restrictions, including Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago Counties. These counties will remain with the current resrictions in place until the area's positivity rate drops beneath 8%.
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