Illinois is currently operating in Phase 5. The
Bridge Phase is designed to ease the transition from Phase 4 to Phase 5. Highlights of the Bridge Phase include:
- Data-driven: IDPH will continue to monitor positivity rates, hospitalizations, and deaths for indicators of resurgence.
- Incremental: Restrictions will be adjusted based on metrics.
- Increased capacity limits by sector.
- Expanded allowable activities in Phase 4, based on studies of virus transmission.
Read the press release.
Read the Bridge Phase summary.
What's New in the Bridge Phase?
Dining: Standing areas may increase to 30% capacity indoors, and 50% capacity outdoors. In seated areas, groups are limited to ten or fewer people, and patrons must be seated at least six feet apart.
Health & Fitness: Capacity may increase to 60%. Group fitness classes may expand to 50 or fewer indoors, or 100 or fewer outdoors.
Retail & Personal Care: Capacity may increase to 60%.
Social events: Capacity limited to 250 people indoors, 500 people outdoors.
Ticketed spectator events, museums, zoos & amusement parks: Capacity may increase to 60%.
Outdoor general admission events: Capacity increased to 30 people per 1,000 sq. ft.
Will the State provide Bridge Phase guidelines to businesses by sector?
When will we transition to the Bridge Phase?
On Thursday, May 6, Governor Pritzker announced that Illinois has met the requisite metrics to advance to the Bridge Phase on Friday, May 14.
The Bridge will begin when 70% of Illinoisans over the age of 65 receive at least one vaccine dose and no increase in COVID-19 metrics is recorded. IDPH will continue to monitor COVID-19 metrics such as hospital admissions, current hospitalizations, and mortality rate to ensure that baseline metrics are met. Metrics will be considered over a 28-day monitoring period before the state can advance to the next phase.
Will this happen as a state, or by region?
All regions of the state will move through these next phases together based on statewide metrics, including the move to Phase 5.
Could we revert back to Phase 4?
The state could revert back to Phase 4 or a previous phase if there is a resurgence of the virus if, over a 10-day monitoring period, there is an increasing trend in our case rate and one of the following:
- Hospital admissions for COVID-19-like illness trend toward increasing and above 150 daily average;
- COVID-19 patients in the hospital trend increasing and above 750;
- Mortality rate trend increasing and above .1 daily average;
- ICU bed availability <20%.
When will we transition to Phase 5?
Illinois will transition to Phase 5 when 50% of Illinoisans age 16 and older have received at least one vaccine dose and no increase in COVID-19 metrics is recorded. The Illinois Department of Public Health will continue to monitor COVID-19 metrics over a 28-day monitoring period.
Why will the 3Ws continue to be important once more Illinoisans are vaccinated?
Not everyone will be able to be vaccinated at once when eligibility expands, so it is important for all Illinoisans to continue to wear masks, stay six feet from others, and wash hands frequently. Scientists continue to study whether the COVID-19 vaccines prevent transmission. In addition, infants and children will not be able to receive vaccinations until the FDA has approved their use. Reduced restrictions and increased travel will provide opportunities for the virus to mutate. It's essential for everyone to do their part to protect our most vulnerable community members until we have safely reached herd immunity through vaccination.
