Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced that Chicago is on track to transition to phase three of the “Protecting Chicago” framework and will begin reopening on Wednesday, June 3.
Cautiously reopening in phase three will still require strict physical distancing but will begin to allow for some industries to start reopening.
Regardless of industry reopening plans, all residents should continue to abide by important guidance in phase three, including:
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Physically distancing and wearing a face covering.
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Limiting non-business, social gatherings to <10 persons.
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Staying at home if you feel ill or have come into contact with someone with COVID-19.
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Getting tested if you have symptoms.
City of Chicago services that had been closed to the public including parks facilities and libraries will begin reopening on Monday, June 8.
To allow businesses and organizations to prepare for the reopening, Mayor Lightfoot, in partnership with CDPH, industry leaders, labor leaders, and public officials from around Chicago, on May 26 released industry-specific guidelines for businesses, employees, and customers to follow as they begin to safely reopen on June 3.
Under “Phase 3” of reopening, a wide range of businesses can open their doors with capacity restrictions and other preventative measures in place. This includes office-based jobs, hotels, childcare facilities and in-home daycares.
Restaurants and coffee shops can allow outdoor dining, and personal services like barbershops, salons and tattoo parlors can also reopen with certain measures in place.
While buses and trains have continued to run in Chicago throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Lightfoot said businesses will need to stagger their start and end times in order to keep transit services from becoming overwhelmed as people return to work.
City services including libraries and park facilities will also reopen on June 8
Phases one and two of the “Protecting Chicago” framework fell under the banner of Mayor Lightfoot’s “Stay Home. Save Lives.” campaign.
As the city begins exiting safely out of shelter-in-place, residents will see a new campaign entitled “Be Safe Chicago” for the remaining phases.
There are risks with cautiously reopening, and residents must remain diligent in their efforts to keep themselves, their families and neighbors safe during this time.
Last month, the City launched a reopening survey that more than 57,000 Chicagoans responded to, which helped inform the City’s plan for reopening.
Now, as the city moves into the next phase, it invites residents to fill out a survey to inform Chicago’s recovery planning: http://www.chicago.gov/