Essential City-Wide COVID-19 Briefing

The following is a note from Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) Commissioner Rosa Escareno, concerning a briefing for all restaurant owners, liquor licensees and residential building owners/associations taking place Wednesday, March 31 at 11:30AM.

As you are aware, COVID-19 is back on the rise in Chicago. In recent weeks, cases, positivity rate and hospitalizations have all risen at an alarming rate, similar to the rise in case numbers we saw last October which led to the closing of bars and restaurants throughout the state. According to the Chicago Department of Public Health, much of this rise is due to young people ignoring COVID-19 safety guidelines at gatherings in restaurants, bars and residential locations. The City has strict COVID-19 regulations in place to stem the spread of the deadly virus, but we are receiving more and more reports of gatherings at bars, restaurants and residential locations that fail to adhere to these regulations, put our entire community at risk and can prolong our re-opening efforts. The best way to reverse the increased spread of COVID-19 is double down on what works- avoid large gatherings, maintain social distancing, wear a face covering and commit to the strict regulations that keep residents, patrons and employees safe.

In light of this rise in cases, the City of Chicago will be holding a briefing this Wednesday at 11:30AM to provide important information for Chicago bars, restaurants and residential buildings to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 regulations. We expect all restaurant owners, liquor licensees and residential building owners/associations to attend this meeting. At the meeting, you will hear important updates from the Mayor’s Office, the Chicago Department of Public Health and BACP related to regulations and enforcement in order to combat the rise in COVID-19 cases. Thank you in advance for attending: please use the link to register ahead of time and join the briefing at 11:30AM on Wednesday, March 31.