COVID-19 Updates

East Peoria is committed to reopening its business community and getting its residents back to work, while at the same time citizens do their part to take necessary precautions to ensure the health, safety and well-being of all. During each phase of this plan, local governments will continue to monitor the status of its impact in coordination with the local health departments and other local organizations. As with any plan, the elements presented here, including the timelines, are subject to change (some aspects of which need to be tailored to our respective local governmental units). 

Download the Phase 1 May 1 and May 15 reopening plan (PDF).

Phase 1 - May 15, 2020 Reopening Protocols

The City of East Peoria will be following many aspects of the Heart of Illinois Plan Protocols during Phase 1 of the Tri-County Phased Reopening Plan. Click on the links to read the reopening protocols.

Read the Restaurants Phase 1 Protocol (PDF).

Read the Non-Essential Businesses Phase 1 Protocol (PDF).

Read the Gyms & Fitness Centers Phase 1 Protocol (PDF).

Read the Personal Care & Health Clubs Phase 1 Protocol (PDF).

Read the Places of Worship Phase 1 Protocol (PDF).

Read the Outdoor Recreation Phase 1 Protocol (PDF).

Read the EastSide Centre Return to Play Phase 1 Protocol (PDF).

Phase 1 - May 1, 2020

Nonessential businesses may reopen but shall take appropriate mitigation measures to ensure that social distancing guidelines are maintained. Businesses should take all necessary precautions and follow sanitation protocols as approved by the local health department. Businesses include, but are not limited to, all retailers, shopping centers, auto dealerships, distribution centers, nursery/garden shops, other lawn and garden centers, marinas, parks, lakes, golf courses, campgrounds and other outdoor recreational areas. Nonessential travel should be minimized. Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10. All vulnerable people should continue to shelter in place. 

Salons, barber shops, spas, dog grooming facilities and other personal care facilities may reopen but shall take appropriate mitigation measures, such as reconfiguring and/or restricting space to enable people to be located apart, to ensure that social distancing guidelines are maintained. In addition, employees and patrons shall be required to use face masks while in close proximity to each other. Employees must clean and wipe all surfaces between clients. 

Gyms/fitness studios and indoor recreational facilities may reopen. Mitigation measures, such as reconfiguring and/or restricting space to enable people to be located apart, shall be taken to ensure that social distancing guidelines are maintained. Equipment must be cleaned and wiped between users.   

Restaurants, bakeries and bars may continue to prepare and serve food providing that the food is for off-premise consumption and served through means such as in-house-delivery, third-party delivery, drive-through service and curbside pick-up. In addition, patrons may enter the premises to purchase food or beverages for carry-out. License holders with the authority to sell alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption may continue to sell alcoholic liquor for off-premises consumption provided that the alcoholic liquor is in its unopened, original packaging through means of in-house delivery, third-party delivery, drive-through service, curbside pick-up and home delivery. In addition, patrons may enter the premises to purchase food or beverage for carry-out providing social distancing guidelines are maintained. 

Download Phase 2 June 1 and June 15 reopening plan (PDF)

Phase 2 - June 1, 2020:

Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 50 people. Vulnerable people should continue to shelter in place. Visits to senior care facilities and hospitals can resume under strict social distancing guidelines. Visitors to senior care facilities must wear face masks.

Restaurants, bakeries and bars may reopen at up to 75% occupancy as determined by the plaque posted from the local Fire Marshal. Mitigation measures, such as reconfiguring and/or restricting space to enable people to be located apart, shall be taken to ensure that social distancing guidelines are maintained. These establishments should take all necessary precautions and follow sanitation protocols as approved by the local health department. Food preparers and servers shall be required to use face masks. Questions regarding occupancy are to be directed to the local Fire Marshal.

Riverboat casino and video gaming operations may resume at up to 75% capacity, subject to approval by the Illinois Gaming Board. Mitigation measures, such as reconfiguring and/or restricting space to enable people to be located apart, shall be taken to ensure that social distancing guidelines are maintained. These establishments should take all necessary precautions and follow sanitation protocols as approved by the local health department.

Athletic fields may reopen for tournaments. Bleacher sections must be removed (if applicable) or restricted from use. Dugouts must be restricted from use. Personal seating can be used but social distancing guidelines must be maintained. Concessions may be reopened but social distancing guidelines must be maintained in the food service area.  These establishments should take all necessary precautions and follow sanitation protocols as approved by the local health department. Food preparers and servers shall be required to use masks.

Public pools may reopen. Social distancing guidelines must be maintained in seating areas.

Small business gatherings and meetings can resume under social distancing guidelines.

Except to the extent the Governor acting within his authority has directed public schools to remain closed, schools may reopen. Social distancing guidelines must be maintained.

Phase 2 - June 15, 2020:

Restaurants, bakeries and bars may reopen at up to 100% occupancy as determined by the plaque posted from the local Fire Marshal. Mitigation measures shall be taken to ensure that social distancing guidelines are maintained. These establishments should take all necessary precautions and follow sanitation protocols as approved by the local health department. Food preparers and servers shall be required to use face masks. Questions regarding occupancy are to be directed to the local Fire Marshal.

Riverboat casino and video gaming operations may resume at up to 100% capacity, subject to approval by the Illinois Gaming Board. Mitigation measures, such as reconfiguring and/or restricting space to enable people to be located apart, shall be taken to ensure that social distancing guidelines are maintained. These establishments should take all necessary precautions and follow sanitation protocols as approved by the local health department.

Athletic fields may reopen dugouts under limited social distancing guidelines.

Download the Phase 3 re-reopening plan (PDF).

Phase 3 - July 2020

Vulnerable people can resume public interaction but should practice social distancing.  

Athletic fields may reopen bleacher sections under limited social distancing guidelines. 

Large venues can operate under limited social distancing guidelines. 

Large social gatherings, such as weddings and funerals, can resume under limited social distancing guidelines.  

Business related gatherings, such as trade shows, conferences, conventions and workshops can resume under limited social distancing gatherings.  

Entertainment related mass gatherings, such as concerts, festivals, carnivals and shows, can resume under limited social distancing guidelines.  

We can all do our part by practicing preventive measures, such as: 

• Frequently wash your hands with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid contact with sick people if possible.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
• Ensure to maintain at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals.
• Stay home should you have a fever or otherwise feel unwell.