Coronavirus Restrictions Relax Even More In Suburban Cook County

FOREST PARK, IL— The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) issued a COVID-19 mitigation order on Friday that will ease mitigation measures in suburban Cook County, according to a news release.

The relaxed restrictions go into effect immediately and mainly pertain to outdoor gatherings. As case numbers in suburban Cook County rose by more than 40% recently, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the new mitigation order opens more options for gathering outside.

Updated capacity limits include:

• Increased outdoor dining groups to 10 people.
• Amusement parks may open at 25% capacity.
• Outdoor fitness classes, meetings, social events and recreational activities can increase to 50% capacity OR 100 people.
• Indoor fitness classes may increase to whichever is lowest: 50% or 50 people per room with proper face masks and social distancing.
• Seated spectator events and venues with a capacity of less than 200 people are limited to 50% and no more than 50 individuals. Larger venues with a capacity of more than 200 are limited to 25% capacity.

“We continue to make progress in some of the metrics, however, we have seen a recent increase in cases in suburban Cook County,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, Senior Medical Officer and Co-Lead, Cook County Department of Public Health. “To be able to cautiously reopen businesses, we must continue to protect the safety and health of everyone around us by getting vaccinated when it’s your turn, wearing a mask, watching your social distance and washing your hands.”

The release states that CCDPH is issuing these mitigation changes in alignment with the Chicago Department of Public Health.