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.