Chicago Eases Into Phase 4 COVID-19 Regulations

Chicago has continued to make significant enough progress in the fight against COVID-19 that, effective immediately, we have moved into Phase Four regulations. However, given how quickly the State-level mitigations have been lifted (these are on top of our municipal Phases) over the past 14 days, a number of additional regulations will remain in place as we transition into Phase Four.

Some restrictions will be eased, such as the prohibition of bar seating and the non-essential business curfew, but most capacity regulations will remain in place. The City must move more deliberately during this transition because public health practice assesses risk in two-week minimum windows (set by the coronavirus’s incubation period), and not enough time as yet elapsed.

Details on the full regulations are posted online at chicago.gov/reopening. The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will also be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, February 2 at 10AM on these new Phase Four regulations. Register and learn more at chicago.gov/businesseducation.

Restaurants and Bars

  • Indoor capacity remains restricted to the lesser of 25% or 25 people per room or 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 operate 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).

  • Maximum of six patrons at indoor or outdoor tables

  • Patrons can sit at bars, with six feet of social distancing between parties

  • 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

  • Reservations are encouraged

  • Two-hour time limit no longer required

  • The sale of alcohol must end at 11PM, including alcohol sold for on-site consumption, delivery or carry out

  • Establishments must close for on-site service at 12AM

Event Venues

  • Indoor capacity remains restricted to the lesser of 25% or 25 people per room or space

  • 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

  • Six people per table

  • Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking

  • Tables must be six feet apart

  • Alcohol service must end at 11PM, and patrons must be off-premises by 12AM

Health and Fitness Centers

  • No limits on operating hours (non-essential business curfew repealed)

  • 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space

  • Group classes of 15 or fewer can resume under the 40% capacity restriction

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times

Indoor Recreation

  • No limits on operating hours (non-essential business curfew repealed)

  • 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times

Movie Theaters and Performance Venues

  • No limits on operating hours (non-essential business curfew repealed).

  • 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times

Retail Stores

  • No limits on operating hours (non-essential business curfew repealed)

  • Grocery stores and pharmacies can operate at 50% capacity, all other stores at 40% capacity

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times

  • Alcohol sales from establishments with a Package Goods license must end at 9pm

Museums

  • No limits on operating hours (non-essential business curfew repealed)

  • Can operate indoors at 25% capacity

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times

Personal Services

  • No limits on operating hours (non-essential business curfew repealed)

  • 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

  • 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space

  • Special events capped at no more than 25% capacity or 25 people, while following indoor dining regulations

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times

To track Chicago’s progress, visit chi.gov/coviddash, and for more details on the state-imposed mitigation measures, visit IDPH’s website here. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will monitor the impact of the return of limited indoor dining, which resumed on January 23, for at least two weeks. More information will be shared in the coming days on the progress that will be necessary for further loosening of restrictions, and we’ll update you as we are.

COVID-19Guest User