City of Chicago Moves to Tier One Mitigations

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced Region 11 (city of Chicago) is moving to Tier 1 effective today. Information about which tier and phase regions are in can be found here. Details on the full regulations should be posted later today at www.chicago.gov/reopening. The City of Chicago will also be hosting webinars in the coming days—stay tuned for more information.

Overview of Tier 1 Mitigation Measures in Chicago

Restaurants and Bars

  • Will be able to reopen indoors at lesser of 25% or 25 people per space.

  • Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service. This means that bars, taverns or breweries without a food license can reopen indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment so that food is available to patrons at all times (e.g., making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services).

  • Table size will be limited to no more than four people per indoor table and six people per outdoor tables

  • Outdoor service can continue under existing regulations, including tables that are within eight feet of walls that are at least 50% open

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking

  • Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking

  • Tables must be six feet apart

  • Indoor service limited to no more than two hours

  • All bars and restaurants must close at 11pm

Event Venues

  • Events will be limited to the lesser of 25 guests or 25% of overall room capacity both indoors and outdoors

  • Indoor events will be able to serve food or drinks, but indoor service guidelines must be followed:

    • Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking

    • Four people per indoor table

    • Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking

    • Tables must be six feet apart

    • Indoor events must end at 11pm

Health and Fitness Centers

  • Indoor capacity will increase to 40%, with no more than 50 people within one area

  • Group classes of 15 or fewer can resume under the 40% capacity restriction

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times

Indoor recreation

  • Indoor capacity will increase to the lesser of 40% or 50 people

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times

Movie Theaters and Performance Venues
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1

  • Can operate indoors at 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times

Retail Stores
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1

  • No change from Tier 2 to Tier 1: grocery stores and pharmacies can operate at 50% capacity, all other stores at 40% capacity

  • Face coverings must be worn at all time

Museums
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1

  • Can operate indoors at 25% capacity

  • Guided tours limited to 50 people

  • Groups limited to 10 people

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times

Personal Services
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1

  • No change from Tier 2 to Tier 1: 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space

  • Face coverings can be removed only for services that require their removal

Places of worship
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1

  • No change from Tier 2 to Tier 1: 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space

  • Special events capped at no more than 10 people

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times

What's Next

The State of Illinois and City of Chicago hope to loosen additional restrictions in the coming weeks. The next step will be to remove all Tier 1 Mitigation Measures and return to Phase Four. This step, which will allow for expanded indoor service at bars and restaurants, will happen when Chicago meets the following criteria established by the state:

  • A test positivity rate below 6.5% for three consecutive days as measured by the 7-day rolling average (currently NOT meeting this metric); AND

  • Greater than 20% percent available staffed ICU hospital beds for three consecutive days, on a 7-day rolling average (currently meeting this metric); AND

  • No sustained increase in the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital in 7 out of the last 10 days, on a 7-day average (currently meeting this metric)

The City of Chicago will continue to enforce the new regulations as they come into effect, particularly the rules for limited indoor service at bars and restaurants. As a reminder, please continue to wear face coverings, maintain social distancing, avoid gatherings and follow the regulations closely. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to follow the COVID-19 regulations and help Chicago continue to move forward in the fight against this deadly virus.

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