The City of Chicago announced an increase in the number of people allowed inside bars and restaurants effective Thursday, February 11.
Even though restaurant owners did not get their wish to be able to open at 50% percent capacity especially with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the capacity of people inside restaurants and bars will increase to 25% or 50 people or less per room or space.
The modifications come after local authorities indicated that the positivity rate of the coronavirus in Chicago is 4.7%, the lowest figure since the beginning of October and that the number of hospitalizations has dropped considerably.
These standards will remain in force despite the increase in capacity:
- In order to offer service indoors, the business has to sell food at all times.
- Only a maximum of six customers are allowed per table indoors or outdoors.
- Customers can sit at the bars as long as they stay six feet apart.
- The use of face masks is compulsory at all times, except when eating.
- Customers must be seated whenever they are going to eat.
- Tables should be spaced six feet apart.
- The service inside is allowed until 12:00 am
- The sale of alcohol must end at 11:00 pm.
To continue increasing capacity within facilities, the city will need to reach the moderate risk level and look at the number of COVID-19 cases diagnosed per day, positivity rate, coronavirus-related hospitalizations, and the number of beds in the facilities. emergency rooms.
“We have to continue doing the right thing as the doctor has mentioned, we must continue using the masks and take precautions to ensure that we can increase the capacity numbers within the establishments, especially within the restaurants and bars”, emphasized Rosa Escareño, Commissioner of the Department of Consumer Affairs and Protection.
According to the city, capacity within restaurants could increase to 50% after two weeks if moderate risk levels can be maintained.
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