All Illinois casinos, gaming venues ordered to close as of Friday

Under new Tier 3 restrictions implemented in the state of Illinois beginning Friday, casinos will be required to close their doors amid a surge in coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

According to the new restrictions, laid out by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health on Tuesday, all gaming facilities and casinos will be required to close their doors beginning on Friday, NBC Chicago reports. Gatherings at hotels and other meeting places will also be prohibited under the new guidelines. Pritzker said this mitigation will be in effect until the numbers lower.

Indoor recreation centers will also be required to close, including movie theaters, performing arts theaters and indoor museums beginning Friday, according to the governor. Facilities that can offer outdoor recreational activities will be allowed to remain open for that purpose, but occupancy of those facilities will be limited to 25% under new guidelines issued by Pritzker and the IDPH.

The restrictions come as the state tries to contain a rapid increase in the spread of coronavirus, with more than 12,000 new cases reported Tuesday alone. The state is also seeing a dramatic spike in the number of hospitalizations related to the virus.

In addition to facility closures, other businesses will also have new restrictions put into place, including occupancy limits and a variety of other rules. Bars and restaurants will still be closed to indoor service, and outdoor gatherings will be limited to just six people, according to the new rules.