Indoor Service Expands Capacity
Effective immediately, Tuesday, February 16, under the City’s updated re-opening roadmap, indoor capacity at bars, restaurants and events can increase to the lesser of 40% or 50 people per room/floor. All other regulations specified in the most recent phase change for bars, restaurants and events remain in place. The easing of additional regulations will be possible once we meet specific metrics as outline below.
Additionally, in order to help businesses navigate this framework for expanding capacity, the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will be holding a webinar Thursday, February 18 at 1PM. Attend it here.
This cautious expansion of indoor service is possible due to Chicago recording fewer than 400 new COVID-19 cases per day, based on the seven-day rolling average, for each of the last three days. This means that all four metrics that Chicago is using to determine when and how to cautiously reopen have now moved into the “Moderate-Risk” level for at least three days, allowing for this expansion of indoor dining. The following metrics are being used to determine the process for continuing to ease COVID-19 regulations:
COVID cases diagnosed per day: currently ~344, “Moderate-Risk” level
COVID test positivity: currently ~3.6%, “Low-Risk” level
Emergency Departments visits for COVID-like illness: currently ~62 per day, “Moderate-Risk” level
ICU beds occupied by COVID patients: currently ~117, “Moderate-Risk” level
The easing of additional regulations, including the expansion to 50% capacity, will be possible if Chicago maintains at least the “Moderate-Risk” level in all four categories for at least two weeks. You can track the City’s progress on the reopening metrics at chi.gov/coviddash, and updated COVID-19 regulations can be found at chicago.gov/reopening. Our website has a dedicated COVID-19 resource page where regularly publish updates and direct you to City programs, even more data, and financial help. We hope you’re staying safe.