Businesses and Employers need to consider how best to decrease the spread of COVID-19 and lower the impact in their workplace. For more information, visit the Reopening Businesses Portal.

Employers should not require a sick employee to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or healthcare provider’s note to return to work. Employees with COVID-19 who have stayed home can stop home isolation and return to work when they have met the the following sets of criteria:

• 5 days have passed since symptoms started (or since positive test if never had symptoms)
• No fever for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication, and
• Symptoms are improving

We encourage you to use and share the following resources:

• COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses and Critical Infrastructure (updated May 16, 2022)
• Workplace Guidance Based on Community Level (updated May 16, 2022)
• Self-Authorization Form for Completed COVID-19 Isolation (for employees)
• Safe Workers Return Certificate English | Spanish (for employers and businesses)
• COVID-19 Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Workers (updated December 02, 2021)

Congregate Living Facilities should implement universal masking policy and enhanced environmental cleaning. For more information, see CDPH Guidance for Congregate Living Facilities.

Homeless Shelters should aim to reduce the spread of COVID-19, minimize introductions of COVID-19 and mitigate the severity of COVID-19 in their facilities. For more information, see CDPH's Guidance for Mitigation of COVID-19 in Homeless Shelters and the COVID-19 symptom screening tool.

Masking Guidance for Chicago Youth Settings: 03/24/2022 - Interim Masking Guidance for Pre-K- 12 Schools and Early Childcare Education

Early Childhood Education/Childcare Programs: In order to protect the progress we’ve made in Chicago to reduce COVID-19 transmission, childcare providers should follow the CDPH Interim Guidance on Management of COVID-19 Cases in Childcare Settings. Guía provisional en español. For COVID-19 mitigation strategies see the Interim COVID-19 Mitigation Strategy for Chicago Youth Settings: K-12 and Early Childcare Education.

Pre-K-12 schools must report all COVID-19 cases in students and staff to CDPH and follow CDPH Interim Guidance on Management of COVID-19 Cases in pK-12 Schools. For COVID-19 mitigation strategies see the Interim COVID-19 Mitigation Strategy for Chicago Youth Settings: K-12 and Early Childcare Education.  Schools should also follow guidance from IDPH and the CDC. 

Institutions of Higher Education should take measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission on campus. See CDPH Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education.

Supporting Guidance Information and Fact Sheets:

Individuals:

• Voters (English, Spanish)
• Testing (English, Spanish)
• Recreational Sports
• Face Coverings
• Travelers
• Healthcare Professionals
• City of Chicago Employees

Community Locations and Organizations

• Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities
• Correctional and Detention Facilities
• Reporting Confirmed COVID-19 Cases