Du Quoin enters Phase 4: Local businesses will take advantage of relaxed restrictions

Along with the rest of Illinois, Du Quoin will move into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan on Friday, a phase that enables inside dining and drinking (with capacity limits) and allows 50 or more people to gather in one place.

Moreover, child care businesses and outdoor recreation may resume, and employees of nonessential businesses can return to work.

The business community in Du Quoin will make the most out of the eased restrictions, said Kelsey Bates, executive director of the Du Quoin Chamber of Commerce.

Some businesses - like Marks' Bakery, which reopened Wednesday for the first time since March - are coming back for the first time, she said. Others will expand what they have already been doing.

Bates said it's too soon to know how much Phase 4 will help local businesses stay viable. She said Du Quoin business owners have done the best they could so far - and in fact she doesn't know of any local business that has closed permanently during the pandemic.

"I'm sure they were hurting, but people were doing whatever they could," Bates said Thursday. "That was awesome."

She said Du Quoin residents have done a good job supporting their community.

"I think the community understands that we have been hurting, so I think they are excited to go back out," Bates said. "In Du Quoin, I get a sense that people really want to help."

Bates, like other officials are urging people to stay cautious - to wear masks and social distance themselves.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not over, she said, and if there is a spike in cases the businesses may have to close again, which would be tragic.

What local shops and restaurants need right now is support and understanding. Their hours might be odd, or they may not be able to get all their stock delivered, Bates said.

"Most people understand the difficulties, but everyone is frustrated," she added. "Let's just give them some slack."