Carbondale Reporter

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Illinois) urges Illinois residents to get their COVID-19 vaccines so that life can return to a "new normal" but said the state's vaccination program could have been faster than it has been.

"I think Illinois should have freed up a little faster than they did," the Republican congressman told WSIL in March. "I've watched other states that have been very successful and have less spread of the virus than the state of Illinois did with all the lockdowns. I'm glad to hear that it's freeing up and getting not a new normal, but back to normal."

The state has said it will begin easing restrictions once 70% of the population 65 and older has been vaccinated, "barring any reversals in our COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths for a 28-day monitoring period."

The state has labeled the initial easing of restrictions as the bridge phase between the current Phase 4 and Phase 5, which will be "the post-pandemic new normal."

The bridge phase will include higher capacity limits and increased business operations, the state said.

For example, capacity at amusement parks and museums will go from 25% capacity in Phase 4 to 60% in the bridge phase, the state said.

Once the state reaches Phase 5, all capacity limits will be removed.

"While regulations are rolled back gradually, Illinoisans should continue following the public health guidelines that have kept us safe during the pandemic, like wearing a mask in public and social distancing," the state said.

Vaccinations have already led to one change in the Phase 4 restrictions.

"Individuals with proof of full vaccination — defined as 14 days after receiving a final vaccine dose — or a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) 1-three days prior to an event do not count against capacity limits," the state said.

Illinois could enter Phase 5 once 50% of residents at least 16 years old have received their first dose of the vaccine as long as there is no jump in COVID-19 numbers, the state said.