In these taxing times, you want to make sure that you know what the rules are for your community.
Chicago is one of the largest cities in America, so infectious disease is an especially strong threat to the community. Here are the current COVID-19 guidelines you can expect as a patron and a business owner across the Windy City.
What is Chicago’s reopening plan?
Chicago is currently in Phase 4 of its reopening plan. This phase has allowed for “personal services” that require the removal of a face mask, including cosmetic appointments, to have a limited reopening.
However, due to a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, newly added restrictions are coming into effect. These will prohibit indoor operations for bars, taverns, and pubs without a food license as well as require face coverings in all public settings.
Is it mandatory to wear a mask in Chicago during COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes.
Due to the spike in COVID-19 cases, you are now required to wear a face mask at all indoor and outdoor public locations. This includes grocery stores, parks, and public transportation. The new guidelines have also increased the emphasis on these requirements.
What businesses and services are open in Chicago?
All essential businesses are still functioning as well as many non-essential businesses. Non-essentials like dine-in restaurants, beauty salons, and gyms are currently open for business, although they are instructed to operate at limited capacity as well as within a curfew.
Are restaurants open in Chicago?
Yes. Restaurants are open for limited in-door operations during the pandemic.
There is a curfew in place for all indoor operations, effective nightly from 10PM to 6AM. During this time, delivery, drop-off, and curb-side pickup options are still available. The last call for serving liquor is now 9PM throughout the city.
Are gyms open in Chicago?
Yes.
Gyms are currently open in Chicago. However, they have been instructed to operate at a limited capacity of 40% of their total operating limit.
All surfaces must be thoroughly and consistently cleaned and sanitized throughout use by members and staff, and can include professional commercial cleaning services by a qualified company.
What is Chicago defining as “essential business” during COVID?
The state of Illinois has defined its own list of essential business. This list is more detailed than the one provided by the federal government but includes many of the same services.
These are the essential businesses in Chicago:
- Healthcare
- Human Services
- Mail, Postal, and Delivery Services
- Grocery and Medicinal Stores
- Food, Beverage, and Cannabis Production
- Media
- Charitable Organizations
- Financial Services
- Hardware Supply
- Daycare
- Funerary Services
- Critical Labor Union Positions
- As Well as Other Industries
Many of these industries have created their own COVID-19 regulations as well as adopted the Chicago city guidelines.
Are large gatherings allowed in Chicago?
No.
Large indoor gatherings and public events have had their capacity capped. Certain events are permitted to have “larger” indoor capacities, but with social distancing regulations in place. Private indoor gatherings are currently capped at 6 people.
How can we keep business going during COVID?
It can be hard to keep a business running during COVID. If you own a business or provide a service, in order to make sure you have the best chance of staying open, you will need to strictly adhere to the state guidelines as they change through phasing. Ongoing disinfection of public and shared space by patrons or staff should be consistently disinfected. Keep your staff’s cleaning procedures reliable or consider a weekly commercial disinfecting service by a professional cleaning company like Enviro-Master of Chicago.
