City of Chicago Moves to Phase Four, Restrictions Remain

The Illinois Restaurant Association continues to engage with local, state, and federal officials to help employers and employees address concerns about COVID-19.

Please see the below resources and information for your business - updated as of 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 31.

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City of Chicago Moves to Phase Four with Restrictions Still in Place for Restaurants & Bars

As of this morning, the city of Chicago (Region 11) has met the metrics set by the State of Illinois to move to Phase Four effective imminently. This does not include Cook Country (Region 10), which remains in Tier 1 Mitigations.

While some restrictions will be eased, such as the prohibition of bar seating and the non-essential business curfew, most of the capacity regulations will remain in place.

The city of Chicago's Reopening Chicago website is updated to reflect current regulations for indoor dining.

Restrictions for Restaurant and Bars will include the following:

• Indoor capacity remains restricted to the lesser of 25% or 25 people per room or space

• Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service. This means that bars, taverns or breweries without a food license can operate indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment so that food is available to patrons at all times (e.g., making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services).

• Maximum of six patrons at indoor or outdoor tables

• Patrons can sit at bars, with six feet of social distancing between parties

• Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking

• Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking

• Tables must be six feet apart

• Reservations are encouraged

• Two-hour time limit no longer required

• The sale of alcohol must end at 11pm, including alcohol sold for on-site consumption, delivery or carry out

• Establishments must close for on-site service at 12am

Restrictions for Event Venues will include:

• Indoor capacity remains restricted to the lesser of 25% or 25 people per room or space

• Indoor events can serve food or drinks, but indoor service guidelines must be followed:

• Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking

• Six people per table

• Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking

• Tables must be six feet apart

• Alcohol service must end at 11pm, and patrons must be off-premises by 12am

Status of Indoor Dining at Restaurants by Region (as of Sunday, January 31)

• Indoor dining at restaurants is permitted in Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 at levels allowed in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, with occupancy limits determined by social distancing of six feet.

• The city of Chicago (Region 11) has also advanced to Phase 4 of Restore Illinois; however, the city is currently maintaining occupancy restrictions at restaurants and bars at 25% occupancy or 25 people per room, (whichever is fewer). Click here to review the city of Chicago's current regulations for restaurants and bars. 

• Indoor dining at restaurants is now permitted in Regions 7, 8, 9, and 10, at 25% occupancy or 25 people per room (whichever is fewer), as allowed in Tier 1 mitigations.

• Indoor dining at restaurants is not yet permitted in Regions 4, which has only advanced to Tier 2 mitigations.