Chicago Retightens Restrictions, Bans Alcohol Consuption Inside Bars, Taverns, Breweries

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has issued retightened restrictions for bars, restaurants, gyms, and other personal service businesses that will go into effect on Friday at 12:01 a.m. after the city saw a recent increase in coronavirus cases.

The precautionary measures come as states around the country see a surge in coronavirus cases, which Lightfoot said, along with the increase of cases in Chicago, “motivated the move to dial back reopening in certain high-risk environments.”

Bars, taverns, breweries, and other establishments without a retail food license will no longer be able to serve customers alcohol inside their locations. Restaurants will be able to serve alcohol inside their dining rooms as long they follow COVID-19 guidelines. Outdoor services at all locations will be able to serve alcohol outside.

Lightfoot also issued a limit on party size for restaurants, bars, taverns, and breweries that will now be limited to six people while indoor fitness class sizes are limited to 10 people.

In the personal services business, customers will no longer be able to remove their masks to receive a shave, facial, or other types of service. Lightfoot also issued an order that residential property managers limit guest entry to five people per unit to prevent large indoor parties and gatherings.

“We have made so much progress here in Chicago in containing the spread of the virus, protecting our health system and saving lives, and in general, the virus remains under control locally. But we are again seeing a steady increase in new cases,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “While we aren’t near the peak of the pandemic from earlier this year, none of us wants to go back there, and we feel these restrictions will help limit further community spread.”

As of Sunday, Chicago reported 233 cases of the coronavirus in a single day, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. The city has seen continuous cases in the 200-per-day range on a seven-day rolling average, CDPH said.