38% Will Not Eat Out, 70% Uncomfortable With Indoor Entertainment

ROMEOVILLE — A slight majority of people who responded to a poll for Romeoville Patch readers said they were not comfortable dining out as the state entered Phase 4 of the governor's Restore Illinois reopening plan amid the pandemic.

Almost 38 percent said they did not want to partake in dining out — whether inside or outside. About 29 percent were comfortable with outdoor dining only, and almost 33 percent said they were OK either way.

At the same time, more than 70 percent of the respondents said they are not ready for indoor entertainment such as a film or theater performance. Some Romeoville Patch readers expressed concern about Illinois opening back up as coronavirus infection rates increase in other states.

"Close it back down. Even though our state is slowing, the U.S. in general is not, and we need to keep everyone safe," one reader said. "Too soon. Virus is still very high death rate," another commented.

Several restaurants in Romeoville such as Bee Brothers opened for indoor dining on June 26 and ensured that safety precautions were taken to curb the spread of the virus. But even though the state is opening up again, the number of cases have once again started to increase.

State health officials Sunday announced 954 new cases of the coronavirus and 20 additional deaths from COVID-19. On Saturday, the state saw 1,195 new cases and 25 deaths, bringing the statewide total to 153,916 confirmed infections and 7,187 deaths, not counting another 1,132 probable cases and 201 probable deaths.

"I think it's too early and people are not being responsible," a respondent said in reference to the speed at which Illinois has reopened.

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