State of Illinois | City of Chicago | January 25, 2021
Chicago and the surrounding suburbs received notice that indoor dining was permitted to resume under the provisions of Illinois’ Tier 1 coronavirus mitigations.
Under the conditions of Tier 1 mitigations, bars and restaurants can open to 25% capacity, with reservations required for parties of four or fewer people per table. Those establishments can be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The announcement comes with mixed reviews as people who applaud the progress are afraid of a resurgence. However, businesses operating with sound safety protocols should be able to keep employees and patrons safe, after implementing all appropriate accommodations and improvements in operations.
As the COVID-19 vaccination plan rolls out, the City and State have prioritized the assessment and implementation.
The details below outline the current guidance for affected industries and businesses.
Overview of Tier 1 Mitigation Measures
Restaurants and Bars
- Can reopen indoors at lesser of 25% or 25 people per space.
- Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service. This means that bars, taverns or breweries without a food license can reopen indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment so that food is available to patrons at all times (e.g., making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services).
- Table size limited to no more than four people per indoor table and six people per outdoor table
- Outdoor service can continue under existing regulations, including tables that are within eight feet of walls that are at least 50% open
- Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking
- Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking
- Tables must be six feet apart
- Indoor service limited to no more than two hours
- All bars and restaurants must close at 11:00pm for on-site service and pick-up/delivery of alcohol. Pick-up and delivery of food can continue after 11:00pm.
Event Venues
- Events are limited to the lesser of 25 guests or 25% of overall room capacity both indoors and outdoors
- Indoor events can serve food or drinks, but indoor service guidelines must be followed:
- Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking
- Four people per indoor table
- Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking
- Tables must be six feet apart
- Indoor events must end at 11:00pm
Health and Fitness Centers
- Indoor capacity increased to 40%, with no more than 50 people within one area
- Group classes of 15 or fewer can resume under the 40% capacity restriction
- Face coverings must be worn at all times
Indoor recreation
- Indoor capacity increased to the lesser of 40% or 50 people
- Face coverings must be worn at all times
Movie Theaters and Performance Venues
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1
- Can operate indoors at 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space
- Face coverings must be worn at all times
Retail Stores
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1
- Grocery stores and pharmacies can operate at 50% capacity, all other stores at 40% capacity
- Face coverings must be worn at all times
Museums
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1
- Can operate indoors at 40% capacity
- Guided tours limited to 50 people
- Groups limited to 10 people
- Face coverings must be worn at all times
Personal Services
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1
- Can operate 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space
- Face coverings can be removed only for services that require their removal
Places of worship
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1
- Can operate at 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space
- Special events capped at no more than 25 people
- Face coverings must be worn at all times
Updated regulations will be posted at www.chicago.gov/reopening
