Mayor Lightfoot announced the launch of a new citywide strategy, “Protect Chicago,” to reverse the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and death. You can review the full press release from the Mayor here and visit the Protect Chicago portal here.
Stay at Home Advisory
As part of “Protect Chicago,” the Mayor as instituted a Stay at Home Advisory that will go into effect on Monday, November 16th at 6:00am. The advisory includes the City calling on all residents to stay at home to prevent the spread of Covid-19. 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. If you do leave home, wear a face covering and practice social distancing by staying six feet away from others.
Additionally, residents are strongly advised to:
- Not have guests in their homes unless they are essential workers (e.g., home healthcare providers, childcare workers or educators).
- Cancel traditional Thanksgiving celebrations.
- Avoid travel.
New Event Capacity Restrictions
Along with the Stay at Home Advisory, the City will be implementing new, enforceable regulations to limit capacity at meetings and special events to no more than ten people. Effective Monday, November 16, at 6:00am, 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 ten people. This ten-person limit does not supersede industries that have existing capacity guidelines, such as fitness clubs, retail stores, movie theaters, or performance venues.
Reminder of COVID-19 Regulations
Through the Stay at Home Advisory, the City is strongly encouraging everyone to take important steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. However, business can continue operating under the existing COVID-19 regulations, with the addition of the new ten-person limit on events. you can find the latest information on these regulations at chicago.gov/reopening.
As a reminder, per the City’s Executive Order 2020-9, indoor gatherings within private residences cannot exceed six non-household members.
Please see below for a reminder 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
As a reminder, bars and restaurants can only hold private events in locations that are designated and typically used for private events only. You cannot use your main bar or restaurants space for private events. Furthermore, event capacity is limited to no more than ten people effective Monday, November 16.
Bars and restaurants must continue to close at 11:00 pm. Carry-out, delivery or curbside pick-up of food may continue past 11:00 pm, 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 11:00 pm and 6:00 am, while essential retail is not subject to this business 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 11:00 pm 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 ten 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 11:00 pm and 6:00 am 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 11:00 pm and 6:00 am 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 Monday, November 16 at 6:00 am, all events, such as weddings and funerals, must be limited to no more than ten people. Face coverings must be worn at all times and six feet of social distancing must be maintained.
