Back in November, Mayor Lori Lightfoot along with Chicago City Commissioner of Health Dr. Allison Arwardy advised all Chicago residents to stay home in response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the city.
According to city officials, the advice will take effect again on January 10.
Stay at home advice
Residents are advised to leave their home only to go to work or school, or for essential needs – such as medical care, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, picking up food or receiving deliveries. City and health officials also advise anyone leaving their home to always wear a face mask or covering and to distance themselves socially by staying at least six feet away from others according to CDC guidelines.
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It is also recommended that residents should not have guests in their homes unless they are essential workers, such as home carers, child care workers or educators, and that they should not travel.
Travel Restrictions
The city’s emergency travel order will also remain in effect, applicable to anyone coming to the city from designated states with a significant degree of COVID-19 distribution in the community. Those traveling from a state on the Orange list must have a negative coronavirus test result, no more than 72 hours before their arrival or for a period of ten days in quarantine. Anyone coming from a state on the Red List must also be quarantined for a period of ten days in Chicago or the duration of the time in Chicago, whichever is shorter. There are no requirements for the yellow states, but dr. Arwady said non-essential travel is still not recommended for the countries.
Restrict events
Meeting rooms, banquet centers, party rooms, private clubs, digging clubs and other meeting rooms are also prohibited from hosting indoor or outdoor gatherings according to the mitigation weakening of state level 3 and the city’s reopening guidelines. It does not include events in hotel rooms or rental houses.
Special events at places of worship, such as weddings, wakes, potlucks and other community events will still be limited to 10 people. Funerals are also limited to ten family members, not including staff.
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The restriction on gatherings also applies to private gatherings in residences in the city and may not exceed six members outside the household.
Indoor service at restaurants and bars
Indoor service at restaurants and bars will also remain closed according to the executive order of Governor JB Pritzker. All customers eating or drinking on a premises must sit at outdoor tables at a distance of at least six feet, including tables within eight feet of a wall that is at least 50% open. Party sizes may not be more than six people per table.
Under the executive order of that state, non-essential businesses must be closed to the public between 11pm and 6am. However, bars, restaurants and other properly licensed businesses may sell alcohol on the premises or go around until 11pm Liquor stores, grocery stores and other businesses licensed to pack goods must stop selling alcohol by 9pm, while restaurants may at all times continue to sell food via delivery, pick-up or drop-off.
Shelter in place
Above all, residents who show any COVID-19 symptoms should hide in their residence. Officials said they should only leave their homes to seek the necessary clinical care, or for vital subsistence needs – such as medicine or food.
COVID-19 symptoms include, but are not limited to, the new onset of fever or cough, shortness of breath, congestion or runny nose, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, body aches or unusual fatigue, according to health officials.
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