Business News

Dining Restrictions Eased in Chicago

Posted on February 10, 2021

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) today announced a roadmap for Chicago to continue to cautiously ease regulations on businesses as COVID-19 metrics improve. Click here for the full press release.

Under the plan, indoor service at bars, restaurants and events can expand to the lesser of 25% capacity or 50 people per room or floor effective February 11.

The easing of additional restrictions, including the expansion of indoor capacity to 40%, will be possible once the city reaches at least the “Moderate-Risk” level in the following metrics:

  • COVID cases diagnosed per day: currently averaging 466, in the “High-Risk” level. This number must be below 400 new cases per day to reach the “Moderate-Risk” level.
  • COVID test positivity: currently averaging 4.7%, in the “Low-Risk” level
  • Emergency Departments visits for COVID-like illness: currently averaging 69 per day, in the “Moderate-Risk” level
  • ICU beds occupied by COVID patients: currently averaging 148, in the “Moderate-Risk” level

Restaurants & Bars Guidelines Effective February 11, 2021

  • Can reopen indoors at lesser of 25% or 50 people per space.
  • Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service. This means that bars, taverns or breweries without a food license can reopen indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment so that food is available to patrons at all times (e.g., making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services).
  • Maximum of six patrons at indoor or outdoor tables
  • Patrons can sit at bars, with six feet of social distancing between parties
  • Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking
  • Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking
  • Tables must be six feet apart
  • Establishments must close for on-site service at 12:00 a.m.
  • The sale of alcohol must end at 11:00 p.m., including alcohol sold for on-site consumption, delivery or carry out.

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


For more information, join BACP for a webinar to learn more about how Chicago will continue to move forward in its plan to safely and cautiously ease COVID-19 regulations. Join this webinar for an overview of current regulations and the framework for continuing to ease guidelines.

Navigating Chicago’s Plan for Safely Easing COVID-19 Regulations
Thursday, February 11
1:00 p.m.
Online Event – Register Here


Click here for additional COVID-19 resources and updates.

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