Reopening Chicago
IMPORTANT CHICAGO REOPENING NOTICE
Chicago is currently in Phase 5.
In Phase 5, most mandatory COVID-19 regulations have been lifted, including capacity limits, social distancing requirements and mask mandates at most businesses.
Click here to view Phase 5 Recommendations | Phase 5 Guidance Graphic | Haga clic aquí para ver las recomendaciones de la Fase 5
Masks
There are limited circumstances and settings where all individuals, including those who are fully vaccinated, must continue to wear a mask in accordance with CDC guidance:
- on public transportation, including CTA, Metra, Pace, taxis, liveries, and ride-hail services,
- in congregate facilities such as correctional centers and homeless shelters,
- in health care settings, and where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance
Masks will still be required in schools. Individuals in schools, day care settings, and educational institutions should continue to follow separate guidance issued by the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and Illinois Department of Public Health.
Operating Hours
Bars, restaurants and other establishments with a Tavern or Consumption on Premises-Incidental Activity license can resume normal hours of operation.
Until the statewide Public Health Emergency Order expires on June 26, establishments with a Late Hour Liquor License can operate without hour restrictions if only fully vaccinated patrons and no unvaccinated patrons are permitted to enter during late night operations. Liquor stores, grocery stores and other establishments with a Package Goods license must still cease alcohol sales at 11:00 pm.
Where we are
Currently we are in: PHASE V
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.
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
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
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
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
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 Zocdoc.com/vaccine or call 312.746.4835.
Based on our continued improvements, the city moved to the Chicago Bridge Phase in conjunction with the state on Friday, May 14th. This next step in our cautious and responsible reopening plan allows for an extensive expansion of capacity limits across industries that broadly align with state regulations – details are available on the reopening website and more information will be shared in the coming days to help businesses prepare for the new regulations. While we have made significant progress and are enthusiastic to take this step, we will only be able to fully reopen when we see continued improvement in COVID metrics and more widespread vaccine uptake. We call on all Chicagoans to get vaccinated as soon as possible and to continue following the safety precautions so that we can experience all that Chicago has to offer this summer. More information will be shared in the coming weeks regarding the City's plan for Phase Five.
PHASE V Re-opening Metrics Daily Update
For detailed report: download Phase V Metrics Update Report.
For the most comprehensive daily COVID-19 data, please see the Daily COVID-19 Dashboard at chi.gov/coviddash.
Phase V: Protect
Goal for Lower Risk: Average fewer than 200 new COVID diagnoses per day in Chicago residents
|
Current: Lower Risk and Declining since April 12
|
Phase V: Protect
Goal for Lower Risk: Maintain average of less than 5% COVID test positivity in Chicago residents
| Current: Lower Risk and Declining/Stable since April 12 |
Phase V: Protect
| Current: Lower Risk and Declining/Stable since April 12 |
Phase V: Protect
|
Current: Lower Risk and Declining/Stable since April 19
|
Phase V: Protect
Goal for Lower Risk: Average fewer than 100 ICU beds occupied by COVID patients in Chicago hospitals
| Lower Risk and Declining/Stable since April 26 |
|
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+ -or- 7+ consecutive days more than 15% higher than daily average one week prior |
400 - 799 -or- 5+ consecutive days more than 10% higher than daily average one week prior |
200 - 399 -and- decreasing or stable compared to daily average one week prior |
20 – 199 -and- decreasing or stable compared to daily average one week prior |
<20 |
|
COVID-19 test positivity Chicago residents 7-day rolling daily average |
10%+ -or- 7+ consecutive days more than 15% higher than daily average one week prior |
6.6 - 9.9% -or- 5+ consecutive days more than 10% higher than daily average one week prior |
5.0 - 6.5% -and- decreasing or stable compared to daily average one week prior |
2 - 4.9% -and- decreasing or stable compared to daily average one week prior |
<2% |
|
Emergency department visits for COVID-19 like illness Chicago hospitals 7-day rolling daily average |
150+ -or- 7+ consecutive days more than 15% higher than daily average one week prior |
100-149 -or- 5+ consecutive days more than 10% higher than daily average one week prior |
50 - 99 -and- decreasing or stable compared to daily average one week prior |
20 - 49 -and- decreasing or stable compared to daily average one week prior |
<20 |
|
Non-ICU beds occupied by COVID patients Chicago hospitals 7-day rolling daily average |
1250+ or- 7+ consecutive days more than 15% higher than daily average one week prior |
750 – 1249 -or- 5+ consecutive days more than 10% higher than daily average one week prior |
250 - 749 |
100 - 249 |
<100 |
|
ICU beds occupied by COVID patients Chicago hospitals 7-day rolling daily average |
400+ -and- <20% overall ICU bed availability |
300 - 399 |
100 - 299 |
20 - 99 |
<20 |
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