Illinois restaurants and bars are still capping the number of customers, and those who can prove that they’re fully vaccinated won’t count against capacity rules.
That’s according to information provided by the state.
State officials announced last week that “individuals with proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) 1-3 days prior to an event or outing do not count against capacity limits.”
That’s among metrics and guidelines noted in the press release, issued March 18. Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced metrics that would help Illinois reopen, and expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to all Illinoisans age 16 and up, beginning April 12.
"While we still have a long way to go, today's announcement is an important step towards recovery," Sam Toia, President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, said in the release. "We have urged Governor Pritzker to set a path to allow for expanded events with extensive safety measures in place, and this pragmatic approach to loosening restrictions will greatly enhance business opportunities for restaurants, event companies, conventions, and culinary tourism — all of which are critical to Illinois' economic engine."
Currently, restaurants and bars in Chicago have to limit capacity to 50 customers per indoor dining space or 50% of full capacity, depending on which number is smaller, Eater Chicago noted in a story Monday (March 22).
"COVID-19 has not gone away, but the light we can see at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter as more people get vaccinated," Pritzker said in the release."It's time to begin to cautiously move toward normalcy, and it's imperative that we do so in a way that maintains all the progress we've made to date…I invite all Illinoisans to join me in wearing your mask and getting vaccinated when it's your turn. Step by step, we can get out of this the same we came into it — together."
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