Chicago moves into Phase 3 of its reopening plan today. Here’s what to know.
Yesterday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that the City of Chicago would move ahead in its reopening plan starting today. In Phase 3, restaurants and other businesses will be allowed to reopen with some limitations.
Last week the mayor first announced her decision to reopen businesses on June 3, however, after the protests there were raised the city would proceed. Nevertheless, the City of Chicago announced that it would proceed with the plan:
“Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) this week 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,” the Chicago Department of Public Health wrote in an email Sunday night.
Today Chicago enters Phase III: Cautiously Reopening.
Industries part of Phase III need to safely operate under industry guidelines found at https://t.co/4qFfcUEMZw
Please note Chicago’s curfew is still in place. Businesses reopening today must abide by the 9PM curfew. pic.twitter.com/4EgZ0LuCip— chicagobacp (@ChicagoBACP) June 3, 2020
While businesses are allowed to reopen, including: restaurants and coffee shops (for outdoor seating), barber shops, hotels, child care centers, office-based jobs, golf courses and other outdoor attractions, salons, non-essential retail stores, tattoo parlors, public transit, hospitals and mental health centers, parks (with the exception of the Lakefront), real estate services, and gyms (for small outdoor classes or indoor personal training sessions).
However, restrictions for businesses and citizens alike still apply, including:
- Physically distancing and wearing a face covering
- Limiting non-business social gathering to less than 10 people
- Staying home if feeling ill or have come in recent contact with someone with COVID-19
The bridges will lower and CTA will recommence bus and rail service, though will avoid stops near downtown. Summer programs, religious services, the lakefront and beaches will remain closed until June 8.
The city has reserved six streets to allow for social distancing while dining outdoors:
- 75th Street in Chatham, Calumet Avenue to Indiana Avenue
- Broadway in Lakeview, Belmont Avenue to Diversey Parkway
- 26th Street in Little Village, Central Park to Harding Avenue
- Taylor Street near West Side, Loomis Street to Ashland Avenue
- Rush Street in Rush and Division, Oak Street to Cedar Street
- Randolph Street in West Loop, Expressway to Elizabeth Street
What businesses will reopen will depend on the area. Many businesses were damaged or dismantled as a result of the looting which took place in reaction to the death of George Floyd at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer. South and West side businesses were particularly damaged.
In light of the protests, the citywide curfew from 9:00 pm — 6:00 am remains in place until further notice.
[Featured image: @lev.kaytsner]