WEST LOOP COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION: Phase 3 Re-Opening Information And Updates

West Loop Community Organization issued the following announcement on May 26.

Mayor Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that Chicago is on track to be ready to move to phase three of its reopening framework in early June. Based on our progress on several key health metrics, the City is poised to transition from phase two (“Stay-at-Home”) to phase three (“Cautiously Reopen”), as outlined in the updated “Protecting Chicago” framework, sometime in early June.

The exact date of the transition to phase three will be based on the health data and we will share that timeline as soon as it is announced by Mayor Lightfoot and CDPH. This email will provide you with an overview of the industries that can plan on reopening in some capacity when we make this transition in early June. Next week, we will be issuing industry-specific guidance that will ensure a safe and cautious reopening at these businesses.

In the coming days, the state and IDPH will be issuing formal industry-specific guidance, particularly around workplaces and childcare, for business owners and employees in these and other sectors. Chicago's Coronavirus Response Center for updates.

During phase three, the earliest industry sub-sectors allowed to open at limited capacity will be:

• Childcare centers
• In-home family childcare
• Parks (non-Lakefront, does not include contact sports)
• Libraries
• Office-based jobs
• Professional services
• Real estate services
• Hotels/lodging
• Outdoor attractions (e.g. boating and non-Lakefront golf courses)
• Retail stores (non-essential)
• Personal services (e.g., hair/nail salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors)
• Restaurants and coffee shops (outdoor dining)

The industry-specific guidelines that will be released next week will include additional clarity on these sub-sectors, details on how these businesses can engage in healthy interactions between workers and customers, how to maintain safe working spaces and conditions, and how to design and monitor workplace operations to create flexibility and further ensure safety for employees and customers. These guidelines will include guidance on capacity restrictions for industries and details on the outdoor dining at restaurants and coffee shops that will be allowed under phase three. As a reminder, BACP continues to process sidewalk café permits. 

 

Other industry sub-sectors may open later in phase three if proper safety measures can be put in place. More information on those guidelines will be forthcoming: 

 

• Summer programs & youth activities
• Religious services
• Gyms
• The Lakefront
• Limited-capacity outdoor performances
• Museums

Schools, playgrounds, bars and lounges, and large venues (stadiums, indoor theaters, music venues, convention centers) will remain closed for the time being. We plan on providing more information in the coming weeks and months regarding the next phases of reopening. 

While we have made significant health progress, we are by no means out of the crisis. Businesses should continue to follow the guidelines of phase two and the current Stay at Home Order until the health metrics indicate that we are ready for phase three. As a reminder, under phase two, non-essential businesses should remain closed expect for curbside pick-up and delivery of retail items. Again, we anticipate the transition to phase three occurring in early June and we will communicate the specific timeline as soon as it is announced.

Original source can be found here.