By: Ashmar Mandou

The City announced it will reinstate COVID-19 restrictions for bars, restaurants, gyms, and persona services as a precautionary move in response to a heightened number of cases across Chicago. The reinstatement of certain restrictions will go into effect Friday, July 24 at 12:01 a.m., in order to allow businesses time to prepare. Restrictions will include:

• Bars, taverns, breweries and other establishments that serve alcohol for on-site consumption without a Retail Food license will no longer be able to serve customers indoors.

• Maximum party size and table occupancy at restaurants, bars, taverns and breweries will be reduced to six people.

• Indoor fitness class size will be reduced to a maximum of 10 people.

• Personal services requiring the removal of face coverings will no longer be permitted (shaves, facials, etc.).

• Residential property managers will be asked to limit guest entry to five per unit to avoid indoor gatherings and parties.

As the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently announced, the city is back in a high-incidence state under Centers for Disease Control guidelines after topping 200 cases per day on a 7-day rolling average. As of Sunday, July 19, that number was 233. That increase has been driven in part by rising cases among young people 18-29 years old as the city has seen more social activity and interactions in bars, restaurants, parks and the lakefront.

“No one relishes making this move but it’s the right thing to do as we work to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19 similar to what we’re seeing in many states around the country,” said CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D. “This virus has had a disproportionate impact on Black and Latinx individuals, many of whom are essential workers who have continued to go to work, and we can’t afford to see a resurgence that would mean more cases and more deaths.

“Over the past few months, businesses and residents from every corner of this city have stepped up to follow our public health guidelines and restrictions so that Chicago could safely and responsibly reopen,” said BACP Commissioner Rosa Escareño. “We will continue to keep data and science as the north stars of our work, which is why these new restrictions are designed to preserve the positive progress we’ve made so far and ensure Chicago can stay one of the most open large cities in the nation.”