DeKalb County expected to return to Tier 2 mitigations Friday: Here’s what you should know

Prohibition on indoor dining will remain in place

DeKalb County is on track to have some COVID-19 mitigations lifted Friday, when some regions of the state are slated to return to Tier 2, according to the Restore Illinois plan, meaning that gyms and casinos will reopen and retail capacity will not be limited.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, in order for a region to move back to Tier 2 mitigations, a region must experience the following three metrics: have less than 12% test positivity rate for three consecutive days, have greater than 20% available intensive care unit and hospital bed availability and have declining COVID hospitalizations in seven out of the last 10 days.

As of Thursday, Region 1, which includes DeKalb County, Winnebago and west to Whiteside, has had 11 consecutive days under the 12% threshold, 11 consecutive days over the 20% threshold for ICU and medical/surgical bed availability and seven days of COVID-19 patient decreases.

For a full list of Tier 2 resurgence mitigations, visit Restore Illinois’ website.

Mardis Gras Lanes in DeKalb will reopen Friday for bowling and video gaming.

“We’re excited to open back up and offer league and open play,” the bowling alley’s general manager Brian Kolberg said. “We will enforce social distancing, with bowlers on every other lane, a touchless menu and food delivered to the lanes and hospital-grade air cleaners. Families can even leave their borrowed bowling shoes and bowling balls at their lane when finished, and we will sanitize them before putting them away.”

Under Tier 2 mitigations, Beth Fowler Dance Company of Genoa and St. Charles will be allowed to showcase their 27th annual production of “The Nutcracker,” “The Nutcracker Movie,” with showings Jan. 21 through Jan. 30 at the Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb. The movie adds dialogue, a green screen, special effects, an extended storyline and a variety of filming locations, including the Ellwood House, to the classic Nutcracker ballet. For information or to buy tickets, visit www.EgyptianTheatre.org.

The Kishwaukee Family YMCA in Sycamore has postponed the start of their Winter 1 Session until Jan. 18. All programs, including group exercise classes, are slated to begin on Jan. 18. For information about upcoming programs at the YMCA, visit www.kishymca.org.

What to expect

Under Tier 2, there still is no indoor service at bars or restaurants, dancing or standing indoors and no meetings, social events and gatherings, including weddings, funerals and potlucks.

Gaming businesses and casinos and organized group recreational activities, including sports but excluding fitness centers, are allowed to reopen but are limited to 25% capacity.

There is a limit to 10 guests in both indoor and outdoor settings.

In addition, IDPH discourages nonessential travel to other states and international locations, groups greater than four individuals in ages 12 to 17 congregating outside of school. Social distancing and the wearing of face masks are encouraged, as well as working from home when possible.

IDPH will continue to track the positivity rate in regions requiring additional mitigations over a 14-day monitoring period to determine if mitigations can be relaxed, if additional mitigations are required, or if current mitigation should remain in place.

One business affected by Tier 2 is bowling alleys, which have been closed since the start of Tier 3 mitigations, which began on Nov. 20.


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