Reopening Chicago
IMPORTANT CHICAGO REOPENING NOTICE
Chicago is in Phase 4. These restrictions are the most up to date and take precedence over the industry-specific guidelines if there are points of contradiction. In all settings, six feet of physical distance must be maintained between different parties. If necessary, facilities should operate a lower capacity to achieve six feet between all parties.
Click here to view all up-to-date Phase IV Capacity Guidelines
Libraries: Considered an essential service as they support Chicagoans needing support with remote learning, job searching, temporary refuge for weather relief, securing needed benefits and resources. Libraries are open at 25% indoor capacity with protective measures in place to ensure the health and safety of the public and staff. See chipublib.org for more details.
Bars, restaurants and other establishments with a Tavern or Consumption on Premises-Incidental Activity license must have all patrons off premises by 1:00 am.
Liquor stores, grocery stores and other establishments with a Package Goods license must cease alcohol sales at 11:00 pm.
Where we are
Currently we are in: PHASE IV
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, we have been committed to basing our decisions on the science and data related to this disease and communicating our actions to the public in an open and transparent way. This chart shows how we plan to return to work and life as well as protecting our health during each phase.
How we determine the current phase
The details for each phase are being informed by economic and health data, and a combination of input from industry working groups, health experts and the public. The specific health criteria for transition between the latter phases will be established and released over the coming weeks to ensure the City is open and responsive to new data and information as it arises.
PHASE I
STRICT STAY-AT-HOME
Goal is to limit interactions to rapidly slow the spread of COVID-19
Limit the amount of contact with others
WORK
Essential workers go to work; everyone else works from home
LIFE
Stay at home and limit going out to essential activities only
HEALTH
Physically distance from anyone you do not live with, especially vulnerable friends and family
PHASE II
STAY-AT-HOME
Goal is to continue flattening the curve while safely being outside
(Guard against unsafe interactions with others)
WORK
Essential workers go to work; everyone else works from home
LIFE
Stay at home as much as possible
HEALTH
Wear a face covering while outside your home
Physically distance from anyone you do not live with, especially vulnerable friends and family
PHASE III
CAUTIOUSLY REOPEN
Goal is to thoughtfully begin to reopen Chicago safely
Strict physical distancing with some businesses reopening
WORK
Non-essential workers begin to return to work in a phased way
Select businesses, non-profits, city entities open with demonstrated, appropriate protections for workers and customers
LIFE
When meeting others, physically distance and wear a face covering
Non-business, social gatherings limited to ≤10 persons
Phased, limited public amenities begin to open​
HEALTH
Stay at home if you feel ill or have come into contact with someone with COVID-19
Continue to physically distance from vulnerable populations
Get tested if you have symptoms
PHASE IV
GRADUALLY RESUME
Goal is to further reopen Chicago while ensuring the safety of residents
Continued staggered reopening into a new normal
WORK
Additional business and capacity restrictions are lifted with appropriate safeguards
LIFE
Additional public amenities open
Continue to wear a face covering and physically distance
HEALTH
Continue to distance and allow vulnerable residents to shelter
Get tested if you have symptoms or think you have had COVID-19
PHASE V
PROTECT
Goal is to continue to maintain safety until COVID-19 is contained
Continue to protect vulnerable populations
WORK
All businesses open
Non-vulnerable individuals can resume working
LIFE
Most activities resume with health safety in place
Some events can resume
HEALTH
Sign up for a vaccine on the COVID Coach web portal
PHASE IV Re-opening Metrics Daily Update
For detailed report: download Phase IV Metrics Update Report.
For the most comprehensive daily COVID-19 data, please see the Daily COVID-19 Dashboard at chi.gov/coviddash.
Phase IV: Gradually Resume
Goal for Lower Risk: Average fewer than 200 new COVID diagnoses per day in Chicago residents
| Current: High Risk (5+ consecutive days of 10% increase since last week) |
Phase IV: Gradually Resume
Goal for Lower Risk: Maintain average of less than 5% COVID test positivity in Chicago residents
| Current: High Risk (5+ consecutive days of 10% increase since last week) |
Phase IV:Gradually Resume
Goal for Lower Risk: Average fewer than 60 emergency department visits per day for COVID-like illness among Chicago residents
| Current: Very High Risk |
Phase IV: Gradually Resume
Goal for Lower Risk: Average fewer than 100 ICU beds occupied by COVID patients in Chicago hospitals
| Current: Moderate risk |
|
Very high risk |
High risk |
Moderate risk |
Lower risk |
Controlled transmission |
|
|
COVID-19 cases diagnosed per day Chicago residents 7-day rolling daily average |
800+ |
400 – 799 |
200 - 399 |
20 – 199 |
<20 |
|
COVID-19 test positivity Chicago residents 7-day rolling daily average |
10%+ |
6.6 - 9.9% |
5.0 - 6.5% |
2 - 4.9% |
<2% |
|
Emergency department visits for COVID-19 like illness Chicago hospitals 7-day rolling daily average |
90+ |
80-89 |
60 - 79 |
20 - 59 |
<20 |
|
ICU beds occupied by COVID patients Chicago hospitals 7-day rolling daily average |
400+ |
300 - 399 |
100 – 299 |
20 - 99 |
<20 |
|
Additional considerations within each risk level |
Metric will revert to very high risk if 7+ consecutive days >15% higher than the week prior -or- ICU capacity is <20% |
Metric will revert to high risk if 5+ consecutive days >10% higher than the week prior -or- ICU capacity is <22% |
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health
How we move between phases
Chicago is monitoring the answers to these four questions in order to decide when and how to reopen.
01 - Is the rate of disease spread across the city and surrounding counties decreasing?
- Tracking cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions, testing, and deaths across city and region
- Monitoring cases over time by zip code, age, sex, race, and ethnicity (and direct resources where they are most needed)
02 - Does the city have the testing and contact-tracing capacity to track the disease and limit spread?
- Scaled-up testing across the city
- Tracking percent of positive tests
03 - Are there enough support systems in place for vulnerable residents?
- Shelters and housing for vulnerable populations
- Increased testing at nursing homes
- Food delivery and specific store times for senior citizens
- Food security for CPS students and meals through Greater Chicago Food Depository
04 - Can the healthcare system handle a potential future surge (including beds, ventilators, PPE)?
- Adequate ventilator and PPE supply
- Surge capacity for hospital and ICU beds
- McCormick ready for overflow