City of Chicago Requires Masks Indoors in All Public Places, Effective Friday, August 20

City of Chicago Requires Masks Indoors in All Public Places, Effective Friday, August 20

This afternoon, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that masks will be required in indoor public settings for all persons over 2 years old - regardless of vaccination status - effective Friday, August 20. This mandate has been put into place due to the average number of new daily cases of COVID-19 in Chicago surpassing 400.

Click here to read the full announcement. Click here to download an updated face coverings required poster from CDPH.

What Restaurants and Bars Need to Know

• Masks are required in all indoor public settings, including bars and restaurants.

• Similar to previous mask mandates, masks can be removed at restaurants, bars and other eating/drinking establishments by patrons when they are actively eating and drinking.

• The new public health order does not include capacity limits at public places, and masking remains optional in outdoor settings, where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is lower.

• Masks are recommended for unvaccinated individuals in crowded outdoor settings.

• More information and guidance for business is posted to chicago.gov/reopening.

• The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will be holding webinars on Thursday, August 19 at 10:00 a.m. and Friday, August 20 at 1:00 p.m. to provide an overview of the mask mandate. Click here to register.

The IRA will continue to advocate for our industry and communicate with local and state officials to ensure that drastic restrictions are not imposed on restaurants, bars, and events.

Click here to download a graphic template to add to your touchless menus in order to remind customers of the city of Chicago's mask requirement.