A tighter set of restrictions on Illinois was announced by Gov. J.B. Pritzker began Nov. 20 to slow the spread of COVID-19 cases during its most recent surge.

The restrictions will include a stay-at-home advisory recommending, but not requiring, that residents stay in their homes unless absolutely necessary. All museums, casinos and theaters are closed. Retail stores, gyms and salons must limit capacity to 25%, and indoor sports have been indefinitely postponed.

It is suggested that residents should only leave home to go to work or school, or for essential needs such as seeking medical care, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, picking up take-out food, or receiving deliveries. Also, residents are advised not to invite anyone into their homes, even trusted family members.

These restrictions are part of Tier 3 mitigations. Depending on if the number of cases begins to drop or not, these restrictions can last for two weeks or longer. 

According to the New York Times live COVID-19 updates, the number of new cases in Illinois spiked to a record 15,000 cases on Nov. 13 and the number of deaths spiked on Nov. 14, 191 residents dying on that day alone. 

Gov. Pritzker indicated that if these restrictions are not put in place, there could be an additional 17,000 to 45,000 deaths by March 2021.