- Published: Friday, April 08, 2022 02:12 PM
Dear friend,
Last week, Mayor Lightfoot announced new COVID-19 mitigations in Chicago to reverse the worsening trends of hospitalizations and deaths. In addition to targeted regulations and a new information campaign, these measures also include a Stay at Home Advisory. I urge you to familiarize yourself with this new information and to follow these new guidelines. The pandemic is only worsening, but we can all work together to prevent its spread.
You can read full details of the “Protect Chicago” campaign here.
As part of "Protect Chicago", the Mayor has instituted a Stay at Home Advisory that went into effect as of today, Monday, Nov. 16 at 6 a.m. Residents are strongly encouraged to only leave home to go to work or school, or for essential needs such as seeking medical care, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, picking up take-out food, or receiving deliveries. When you do leave home, wear a face covering and practice social distancing by staying six feet away from others.
We also need to put off any gatherings, something I know can be painful. It is strongly advised you not have guests in your home unless they are essential workers (e.g., home health care providers, child care workers or educators), that you cancel traditional Thanksgiving celebrations, and that you avoid travel.
In accordance with the Stay at Home Advisory, the City will also impose and enforce attendance limits on meetings and special events to no more than 10 people. Effective today, all indoor or outdoor events and meetings, such as weddings, birthday parties, and other events taking place at banquet halls, event venues or similar spaces will be limited to no more than 10 people. Existing capacity guidelines at establishments such as fitness clubs, retail stores, movie theaters or performance venues, will remain unchanged.
Businesses can continue operating under the existing COVID-19 regulations, with the addition of the new 10-person limit on events. You can find the latest information on these regulations at chicago.gov/reopening. As I have throughout this pandemic, I encourage you, if you are a business owner, to do everything you can to accommodate things like home delivery or curbside service.
Remember that the City’s Executive Order 2020-9 also states that indoor gatherings within private residences cannot exceed six non-household members.
Please see below for details of certain COVID-19 regulations for specific businesses, and visit chicago.gov/reopening for an overview of all of the requirements.
Bars and Restaurants
Per state order, indoor service is not permitted at bars and restaurants. Outdoor service is allowed, which includes the following:
- Rooms with retractable roofs
- Rooftops
- Tables that are within eight feet of a wall, provided that the wall is open at least 50%
- tents and other multi-party outdoor enclosures with at least 50% of the sides open (note- fully enclosed tents are considered indoors and are not permitted)
- Structures that hold one party, such as plastic domes, with adequate ventilation
For a full overview of outdoor dining regulations, visit chicago.gov/winterdining.
Bars and restaurants can only hold private events in locations that are designated and typically used for private events only. Main bars or restaurant space cannot be used for private events. Furthermore, event capacity is limited to no more than 10 people effective today.
Bars and restaurants must continue to close at 11 p.m. Carry-out, delivery or curbside pick-up of food may continue past 11 p.m., but the sale of alcohol must cease. Outdoor tables must be six feet apart, with no more than six people per table, and face coverings must be worn at all times except when actively eating and/or drinking.
Retail
Under the Retail Guidelines, non-essential retail is limited to 40% capacity and essential retail is limited to 50% capacity. Furthermore, establishments are required to limit total gatherings of employees/customers within any one area (i.e. checkout area) to no more than 50 people. Face coverings must be worn at all times. Non-essential retail must be closed between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., while essential retail is not subject to curfew.
Performance Venues
Under the Performance Venue Guidelines, establishments may operate at 40% capacity or 50 people, whichever is smaller. Performance venues must close at 11 p.m. per the non-essential business curfew. Establishments may sell food or drink for carry-out, delivery, curbside pick-up or for patrons to consume at their seats, but common dining areas must be closed. Patrons must maintain six feet of social distancing, and performers must remain 10 feet away from patrons. Face coverings must be worn at all times, although performers can remove masks while performing.
Health and Fitness Centers
Under the Health and Fitness Center Guidelines, establishments may operate at 40% capacity. Face coverings must be worn at all times, and establishments must be closed between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. per the non-essential business curfew. Social distancing of six feet must be maintained at all times. Fitness classes are limited to no more than 15 people, while adhering to the 40% capacity limitation and six feet of social distancing.
Personal Services
Under the Personal Services Guidelines, establishments may operate at 40% capacity. Face coverings must be worn at all times, with the exception of services that require their removal, such as beard shaves or facials. Establishments must close between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. per the non-essential business curfew.
Places of Worship
Under the Places of Worship Guidelines, regular services are limited to 40% capacity or 50 people, whichever is smaller. However, effective today, all events, such as weddings and funerals, must be limited to no more than 10 people. Face coverings must be worn at all times and six feet of social distancing must be maintained.
For an overview of other COVID-19 industry regulations, visit chicago.gov/reopening.
If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me through my website at http://senatorsteans.com/contact-us. Together, we can fight the spread of COVID-19.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline Collins
State Senator, 16th Illinois Senate District
