Chicago Mayor Announces Eased Capacity For Restaurants, Gyms And More

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced eased restrictions on businesses Monday (September 28) as the city braces for colder weather this fall and winter.

Bars, restaurants, gyms and other businesses will increase capacity from 25% to 40%, up to 50 people, on Thursday (October 1). Though restaurants will be able to increase capacity, Lightfoot reminded the public to wear masks at restaurants unless they were “actively eating or drinking.”

“As we’re all aware COVID-19 has taken a devastating toll on our businesses, who are forced to close their doors, furlough workers or even shut down in the early stages of the pandemic,” Lightfoot said. “This is in no way, shape, or form a sustainable economic environment.”

Since August, new COVID-19 cases have dwindled, so Lightfoot says the city can lighten restrictions on indoor activities, WGN9 reported Monday.

“Our city has made sufficient progress in the fight against COVID-19 to ease some of the restrictions on our businesses and give them an opportunity to grow and earn more revenue as we head into the winter months,” Lightfoot said. She added, “if we see something headed in the wrong direction, we’re not going to hesitate, as we did before, to step back.”

Photo: Getty Images