Illinois And Chicago are Poised to Fully Reopen on June 11
All of Illinois, including Chicago, is set to reopen on June 11. The change comes as COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and other metrics have improved. In addition, officials have said the wide availability of vaccines has led to the drop and made reopening possible.
Here’s what will change on June 11:
Masks
Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask except in places where the federal government requires it — like nursing homes, public transportation, and health care facilities — or where a business or workplace requires it.
Masks are required inside schools, but the state will not need them when people are outdoors at school.
The state recommends that people who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear a mask in crowded settings indoors and outdoors. The state’s health department particularly recommends unvaccinated people wear masks when around youth who are not yet eligible for the vaccines.
According to the state, people who are immunocompromised should consider wearing masks when in settings where other people might not be fully vaccinated.
At businesses:
The state won’t require social distancing or mask-wearing outdoors or indoors at businesses where everyone is fully vaccinated.
According to the state, for indoor businesses where not everyone is fully vaccinated, unvaccinated people should continue to wear a face covering and stay 6 feet apart. If at outdoor businesses, unvaccinated people can choose not to wear a face-covering when they’re able to keep 6 feet from other people.
Businesses and workplaces can still require masks on their premises if they choose. However, businesses should support customers and employees who decide to keep wearing masks, according to the state.
What’s Open
All businesses can reopen.
Significant events, like festivals and conventions, can return without capacity restrictions.
Large gatherings can resume, including weddings, church services, and parties with large crowds.
Businesses can continue to implement their mitigation strategies — including requiring social distancing and masks — if they choose. However, the state recommends businesses “allow for social distancing to the extent possible, especially indoors.”