Will and Kankakee counties met the criteria to see a further relaxation of state-imposed restrictions meant to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced the South Suburban Region, also known as Region 7, moved to Phase 4 of Gov. JB Pritzker’s COVID-19 mitigation plan, according to a news release.

In Phase 4, capacities for indoor dining and drinking now allow for parties of up to 10 people. Seated areas should be arranged so that tables allow for 6 feet between parties.

Capacities at retail shops and personal care facilities remain at 50% occupancy.

Indoor recreation facilities like bowling alleys and skating rinks, can reopen to operate at the lesser of 50% capacity or 50 customers.

Meetings and social gatherings should be limited to the lesser of 50% capacity or 50 people.

Perhaps most notably, the region moving to Phase 4 means high school sports teams can begin to play games once their shortened seasons begin.

To reach Phase 4, the region had to record a rolling average COVID-19 test positivity rate of 6.5% of less for three consecutive days. The region’s positivity rate hit 6.5% on Jan 27, then 6.3% on Jan. 28.

While the IDPH hadn’t yet updated the latest numbers as of Monday morning, the agency made the announcement about the region reaching Phase 4.

The region also had to have adequate hospital bed and intensive care unit capacity.

For more information on regional COVID-19 data from the IDPH, visit dph.illinois.gov./regionmetrics.