In November, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, along with the City of Chicago’s Commissioner of Health, Dr. Allison Arwardy, all Chicago residents to stay at home in response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions in the city.
The reissued advisory will take effect for an additional 12 days on Jan. 10, according to city officials.
Stay at home advice
Residents are advised to leave their home only to go to work or school, or for essential needs – such as medical care, going to the supermarket or pharmacy, picking up food, or receiving delivery. City and health officials also advise anyone who leaves their home to wear a face mask or cover at all times and to practice social distance by staying at least six feet from others in accordance with CDC guidelines.
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Additionally, residents are advised not to have guests in their home unless they are essential workers such as home care providers, childcare workers or educators and to avoid travel.
Travel restrictions
The city’s emergency travel mandate also remains in effect, which applies to anyone entering the city from designated states with a significant degree of community-wide distribution of COVID-19. Those traveling from an Orange-listed state must have a negative coronavirus test result no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival or quarantine for a 10-day period. Anyone who comes from a Red List state must also quarantine 10 days or the length of their stay in Chicago, whichever is shorter. There are no requirements for the yellow states, but Dr. Arwady said non-essential travel is still not recommended for those states.
Limit the number of meetings
It is also prohibited for meeting rooms, banquet centers, banquet halls, private clubs, provincial clubs and other event venues to host indoor or outdoor gatherings according to the State Revival Tier 3 and the city’s reopening guidelines. This also applies to events in hotel rooms or rental properties.
Special events in places of worship such as weddings, vigils, potlucks and other community events are limited to 10 people. Funerals are also limited to 10 family members, excluding staff.
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The meeting limit also applies to private meetings in urban residences and must not exceed six non-household members.
Back office at restaurants and bars
Back office work in restaurants and bars also remains closed in accordance with Governor JB Pritzker’s executive order. All customers eating or drinking on site must be seated at outdoor tables spaced at least 6 feet apart, including tables within 8 feet of a wall that is at least 50% open. Groups cannot exceed six people per table.
According to that state’s executive order, non-essential businesses must be closed to the public between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. However, bars, restaurants, and other properly licensed establishments may sell alcohol on-site or en route until 11pm. Continue to sell food through delivery, pick-up or pick-up from the sidewalk
Shelter in case of illness
Residents with COVID-19 symptoms should especially take shelter in their place of residence. Officials said they could leave their homes only to seek necessary clinical care, or for essential life-support needs – such as medicines or food.
COVID-19 symptoms include, but are not limited to, new fever or cough, shortness of breath, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, physical pain or unusual fatigue, according to health officials.
Doctor offers perspective from the frontline of COVID-19 combat
The featured video is from a previous report.
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