Illinois Moves to Bridge Phase

Happy Friday Friends!

We are so happy to see that Illinois and Chicago has now moved to the Bridge Phase! We were elated to see this announcement and happy that we are moving towards larger guests capacities.

Bridge Phase is Here!

Social Events (e.g. weddings)

• Indoor events limited to 250 people with outdoor events limited to 500 people (option to exempt individuals that are fully vaccinated from capacity limit - still must maintain six feet of social distancing between parties)

• All Food Service and Bars regulations must be followed, including:

  • Standing areas can operate at 25% capacity (option to exempt individuals that are fully vaccinated from capacity limit)

  • Table size limited to no more than ten people (option to increase table size if all patrons 16+ are fully vaccinated)

  • Tables must be spaced so that patrons are six feet away from patrons at other tables

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when seated and actively eating or drinking

  • Close all dance floors and other places where social distancing is not possible.

  Places of Worship

• 60% capacity (option to exempt individuals that are fully vaccinated from capacity limit - still must maintain six feet of social distancing between parties)

• No capacity limit outdoors, with six feet of social distancing between parties

• Face coverings must be worn at all times

  
  Meetings, Conferences and Conventions

• 60% capacity, with no more than 1,000 people (option to exempt individuals that are fully vaccinated from capacity limit - still must maintain six feet of social distancing between parties)

• Face coverings must be worn at all times

  Other Notes

• The bridge phase would allow businesses in a wide range of categories, from offices to retailers to gyms, to operate at 60% capacity, up from 50%. Amusements parks, museums and zoos would also rise to 60% capacity from the current 25%.

• Ticketed and seated spectator events, as well as theaters and performing arts, also would have a 60% capacity

• Announcement from the city, ***Following today’s announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in which they updated their recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals, the City of Chicago will be working with the state to review and update our COVID-19 regulations. We expect to broadly follow the new CDC guidance across most settings and will be releasing updated guidelines in the coming days. Until that time, the regulations detailed in the email below are in effect beginning Friday, May 14, 2021.***

Vaccination Exceptions

In addition to the broad loosening of regulations, all businesses will have the opportunity to take advantage of the Vaccine Exemption beginning on May 14, 2021. The Vaccine Exemption has three components:

1. Fully vaccinated individuals do not count towards COVID-19 capacity limits across all industries (six feet of social distancing still maintained between parties)

2. Bars, restaurants and other establishments that allow onsite consumption of food or alcohol can increase table or party size above the limit of ten if all patrons age 16+ at that table or within that party are fully vaccinated.

3. Late Hour Liquor Licensees can operate without hour restrictions if only fully vaccinated patrons are permitted to enter. While all bars and restaurants are allowed to stay open under standard hours in the Chicago Bridge Phase, this will allow Late Hour establishments to stay open until 4:00 am Monday through Saturday morning and 5:00 am on Sunday morning if all patrons are fully vaccinated.

Businesses that choose to take advantage of the Vaccine Exemption are responsible for managing their capacity and admission procedures to establish a protocol and system to verify that patrons are fully vaccinated, defined as 14 days following their final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. At minimum, businesses are required to track which customers are under vaccine exemption during their time in the establishment and demonstrate the process to on-site investigators upon request.

Webinars

BACP will be holding webinars on the new regulations and the Vaccine Exemption Friday, May 14 at 2:00 pm and Monday, May 17 at 1:00 pm. Register and learn more at chicago.gov/businesseducation. Additionally, the updated COVID-19 regulations will be available at chicago.gov/reopening.

We are so happy to see the return of larger events to our state! Please continue to follow the guidelines and host safe events!

Thank you,

Ali, Michelle and Collin