Based on Chicago's key health metrics, the city is currently in Phase 4 (Gradually Resume) – allowing additional businesses and public amenities to open with limited capacities and appropriate safeguards. Although progress has been made in order to move to phase four, all residents should continue to abide by important guidance including: physically distancing and wearing a face covering; limiting non-business, social gatherings to 50 persons for indoor events and 100 for outdoors; staying at home if you are considered vulnerable, feel ill or have come into contact with someone with COVID-19; and getting tested if you have symptoms. Please refer to the Chicago Department of Public Heath’s website, chicago.gov/coronavirus, for the latest local updates on the response to COVID-19.

The COVID-19 outbreak is having an enormous economic impact on our local arts community. The City of Chicago and DCASE are proud partners and contributors to the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund – providing financial relief to workers and organizations in the creative industries impacted by COVID-19. Please also visit DCASE's COVID-19 Arts Community Resources – a partial list of the many local and national efforts to support our artists and arts organizations.

Following the City and State guidelines for Phase 4 reopening, DCASE has announced the following:

• A slate of more than 150 new and reimagined summer events will include at-home dance parties, drive-in movies, virtual concerts, farmers markets and community meals for frontline workers. Many of these programs support the local music industry during the Year of Chicago Music — now extended into 2021.
• Special Events Permits will not be issued for outdoor festivals, athletic events or non-essential markets including Maxwell Street Market through the end of 2020.
• Millennium Park is open daily, 8am to 9pm, for groups of 10 persons or fewer who practice physical distancing and wear face coverings. Visit millenniumpark.org for information about where to enter/exit the park and which facilities are open.
• The Chicago Cultural Center, the Clarke House Museum, Expo 72 and the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower are closed to the public until further notice.
• Chicago City Markets are open to increase neighborhood access to fresh and healthy food. DCASE will take necessary precautions to encourage social distancing and protect the safety of customers and vendors.
• The Chicago Film Office is permitting film crews in accordance with the Restore Illinois Film Production Guidelines and the City of Chicago's Be Safe Film and Television Production Guidelines. Some city services and city property may not be available.
• Additional industry guidelines for Museums; Performance Venues; and Movie Theaters can be found in multiple languages at the Be Safe Chicago Industry Guidelines page under the Arts & Culture tab in multiple languages.