![]() Positivity rate: Chicago’s positivity rate must be at 4.9 percent or lower.Cases: Chicago must report an average of 199 cases or fewer per day.Here are the city’s goals for ending its mandates and where Chicago stands with each: When in municipalities, like cities or counties, that have mask mandates.In businesses that privately require mask use.Long-term care facilities when in communal areas.Federal buildings in areas of high of substantial risk of transmission.Public transportation, including buses, trains and airplanes.The city did not report meeting that requirement until Monday evening - but decided to go ahead with lifting the mandates by next week. Chicago’s health department then announced it would also aim to end the city’s mask and vaccine card mandates by the end of the month, though Chicago would have to hit three out of four milestones for at least two weeks for that to happen. 28, so long as the state’s COVID-19 metrics continue to fall. 9 Illinois’ statewide mask mandate is set to end Feb. “It will make us safer if more people are vaccinated.” “The answer to all questions regarding the pandemic is vaccine, vaccine, vaccine,” Lightfoot said. Arwady” to take steps to protect lives.Īnd Arwady and Lightfoot urged people to get vaccinated, saying it’s the most important way to protect yourself and others. “But make no mistake: I will not hesitate, nor will Dr. “I feel very confident that we are on the right path, that we are moving in the right direction,” Lightfoot said. Lightfoot said they will bring back mitigations if it becomes necessary in the future. “Particularly in a restaurant setting, where I have no idea now whether the people sitting around me are vaccinated, I’ll be wearing a mask,” Lightfoot said.Īrwady said officials expect to see a potential small rise in cases when lifting mitigations, but they don’t make those changes until the city is in a place where it could handle such a bump. Still, Lightfoot said she’ll continue to wear a mask when indoors in public for the time being, as she doesn’t want to put herself at risk. But the main focus of the mandate was always to protect Chicago’s health care system from being overwhelmed, which is why it’s appropriate for it to end, she said. Allison Arwady, head of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said the vaccine card mandate led to a bump in Chicagoans getting vaccinated against the virus. To combat the surge, city officials began requiring restaurants, bars and other venues to check people for proof of vaccination in early January.ĭr. Then, the Omicron wave - which started in late November - drove cases, hospitalizations and deaths to record numbers. “Folks, be kind and conscious of your fellow neighbors and any decisions they make for themselves to feel comfortable and protected,” Lightfoot said.Ĭhicago and Illinois implemented mask mandates in August when the Delta variant led to a surge. And individuals may continue to keep wearing masks, just as venues can require them, Lightfoot said. Masks will still be required in some spots, like health care facilities and public transportation. “It’s important for us to recognize this moment for what it is: a huge step forward in our effort to overcome COVID-19,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said at a Tuesday news conference. The city’s end to its mandates will line up with the state, which plans to lift its own mask mandate Monday. The changes come after weeks of COVID-19 numbers coming down from the Omicron surge. The Serafin Power Poll is not a scientific poll, but rather a fascinating and non-partisan glimpse into the attitudes and opinions of the decision-makers and thought leaders in the Chicago region.CHICAGO - The city’s mask and vaccine card mandates will end Monday. Our vote is that there is a little more holiday cheer this year! From all of us at Team Serafin, we’re wishing you a warm and joyful holiday season.Ī total of 400 Serafin Power Poll members were surveyed and the participation rate was 28%. But 29% said they are feeling a little more holiday joy and kindness this year. We asked Serafin Power Pollers for their experiences and the majority (71%) said the holiday spirit was not any deeper or about the same as non-COVID years. But as we close out a second tumultuous year, maybe – just maybe – there is a little more kindness, caring and compassion this holiday season. The COVID pandemic has exacerbated inequalities, laid bare ideological differences and generally made us wary of being too close together.
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