Posted on August 17, 2021

Starting Friday, August 20, masks will be required in all indoor public settings as the average number of new daily cases of COVID-19 in Chicago surpassed 400. Everyone regardless of vaccination status will be required to wear a mask while indoors in public settings.

In alignment with the CDC’s guidance, the City is now mandating that businesses require masks for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, in all public indoor settings. The new public health order does not include capacity limits at public places.

This requirement does not apply to outdoor settings – masks remain optional outdoors, where COVID-19 transmission is much less likely. As a reminder, outdoor settings include sidewalk cafes, outdoor patios, rooms with retractable roofs, outdoor tents with at least 50% of the sides open and indoor spaces that are within eight feet of walls that are least 50% open.

While masking is now required in indoor settings, the requirement allows masks to be removed in certain cases, such as when patrons are actively eating or drinking; personal services that require the removal of face coverings (e.g., facial, shave); and office working spaces in which individual workstations are spaced at least six feet apart. Masks also remain mandatory on public transportation, in healthcare settings, schools, and correctional and congregate settings.

Navigating Chicago’s New COVID-19 Masking Regulations

All individuals, regardless of their vaccination status, will be required to wear a mask as of Friday, August 20, 2021 while indoors in public settings. This webinar will provide business owners with an overview of the new mask mandate requirements.

Thursday, August 19
10:00 a.m.
Online Event – Register Here

For public gatherings and events, it is recommended that event organizers require attendees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to attending.

To create a safer event, CDPH recommends checking documentation of vaccination or negative test status, if feasible.

If vaccination or negative test status cannot be checked, CDPH recommends that all attendees, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks whenever social distancing cannot be maintained.

The full reopening regulations in Chicago are available at chicago.gov/reopening.