Chicago to reinstate several coronavirus lockdown restrictions
A Cook County sheriff's deputy keeps watch at the entrance to the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, where visitors are required to wear masks and submit to wellness checks, as the Cook County Circuit Court system resumes in-person operations. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times/AP)
The Windy City is shutting down. Again.
Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Monday that the city was re-imposing several coronavirus restrictions after a recent uptick in cases.
As part of the new restrictions, which go into effect July 24, bars that do not serve food will no longer be able to serve people indoors (outdoor seating can remain open). Restaurants will also only be allowed to seat a maximum of six people.
Indoor fitness classes will also be limited to 10 people and personal services, such as those offered at salons, that require face coverings to be removed, will no longer be permitted.
"We have made so much progress here in Chicago in containing the spread of the virus, protecting our health system and saving lives, and in general, the virus remains under control locally. But we are again seeing a steady increase in new cases," Lightfoot said. "While we aren't near the peak of the pandemic from earlier this year, none of us wants to go back there, and we feel these restrictions will help limit further community spread."
The Chicago Department of Public Health said the reinstated measures were necessary after the city reported averaging more than 200 cases a day for seven days in a row.
"No one relishes making this move but it's the right thing to do as we work to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19 similar to what we're seeing in many states around the country," sCDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady said. "This virus has had a disproportionate impact on Black and Latinx individuals, many of whom are essential workers who have continued to go to work, and we can't afford to see a resurgence that would mean more cases and more deaths."