You are free to reopen – a little
State of Illinois
Effective Friday, May 29, 2020 the state of Illinois has entered Phase 3. What does that mean?
For everyone:
- Gatherings: All gatherings of 10 people or fewer are allowed with this limit subject to change based on latest data & guidance
- Travel: Travel should follow Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Centers for Didease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved guidance
- Health care: All health care providers are open with IDPH approved safety guidance
- Education and childcare: Remote learning in P-12 schools and higher education; Limited childcare and summer programs open with IDPH approved safety guidance
- Outdoor recreation: State parks open; Activities permitted in groups of 10 or fewer with social distancing
For Businesses:
- Manufacturing: Non-essential manufacturing that can safely operate with social distancing can reopen with IDPH approved safety guidance
- “Non-essential” businesses: Employees of “non-essential” businesses are allowed to return to work with IDPH approved safety guidance depending upon risk level, tele-work strongly encouraged wherever possible; Employers are encouraged to provide accommodations for COVID-19-vulnerable employees
- Bars and restaurants: Open for delivery, pickup, limited outdoor dining, and drive through only
- Personal care services and health clubs: Barbershops and salons open with IDPH approved safety guidance; Health and fitness clubs can provide outdoor classes and one-on-one personal training with IDPH approved safety guidance
- Retail: Open with capacity limits and IDPH approved safety guidance, including face coverings
Additional information at https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/restore-illinois-phase-3
Specific guidelines and toolkits for businesses can be found at https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/Pages/RestoreILP3.aspx
https://dceocovid19resources.com/assets/Restore-Illinois/businesstoolkits/all.pdf
City of Chicago
However, if you are located in Chicago, you need to wait until June 3, 2020 to move into Phase 3. Within Phase III, the following industries are opening first with specific safety guidelines:
- Childcare centers and family childcare
- Non-lakefront parks (no contact sports)
- Libraries and other city services
- Office-based jobs, professional services, and real estate services
- Hotels / lodging
- Outdoor attractions (e.g., boating – not including the Playpen, non-Lakefront golf courses)
- Non-essential retail
- Personal services (e.g., hair/nail salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors)
- Restaurants and coffee shops (outdoor dining only)
- Manufacturing, construction, and warehousing
- Hospitals, dentists, community mental health centers, and Federally Qualified Health Centers
- Public transit, regional transit, taxis and rideshare
- Gyms (outdoor and 1:1 personal training only)
Business specific guidelines can be found at https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home/reopening-business-portal/business-guidelines.html
No matter whether you have reopened or will be reopening this coming week, you should:
- Have a reopening plan for your business.
- If you are a service provider, plan for how you will assure your customers’ safety and restore trust that it is OK to business with you, include.
- The conditions you have set for a safe experience for customers.
- Proactively communicate about safety measures implemented that may not be visible to customers.
- Communicate how you are safeguarding the health of your employees, not only at work but also on their commute to work.
- Be creative about what the new “normal” will be for your business.
If you need assistance navigating these uncertain times, please reach out to us. Our law office has remained open and continues to serve our clients. We are available by telephone, email and Zoom.
