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CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Mayor Lightfoot in partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health, industry leaders, labor leaders, and public officials from around Chicago, released Tuesday industry-specific guidelines for businesses, employees, and customers to follow as the city prepares to begin safely reopening in early June.
Industry-specific guidelines include details such as how businesses can engage in healthy interactions between workers and customers, how to maintain safe working spaces and conditions, and how to design and monitor workplace operations to create flexibility and maintain safety for employees and customers.
The guidelines are aligned with the state-issued guidelines, with specificity included for Chicago’s context.
Specific guidelines for sporting events, religious services, outdoor performances, summer programs and youth activities, the Lakefront, and museums will be available later in Phase Three when those entities are predicted to begin reopening.
According to the Mayor's Office, the industry-specific guidelines were driven by health activity requirements and developed in coordination with 10 industry working groups, representing more than 200 individuals.
The guidelines were then reviewed by multiple key stakeholders and approved by CDPH to ensure businesses and industries will be protecting their employees and members of the public who may patronize them. In order to support the more than 130,000 estimated Chicagoans who will head back to their places of work in Phase Three, a robust enforcement strategy, which will be led by the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and CDPH, will be put in place to keep employers, employees and customers safe.
“As we begin the road to recovery, it is critical that all Chicago businesses follow the guidance released today to reopen safely and responsibly,” said Rosa Escareno, BACPCommissioner. “The health and safety of our residents has to remain the priority, and these guidelines give Chicago’s businesses a roadmap to begin reopening while protecting our community.”
In addition to industry-specific guidelines, the City of Chicago developed an overall gathering size requirement for Phase Three, which limits non-essential gatherings to nomore than 10 individuals. As part of this requirement, “gathering” is defined as a planned or spontaneous event where individuals are interacting with non-household members within close proximity (less than six feet) for an extended time period for the same purpose.
As Chicago prepares to enter Phase Three, many small businesses around the city are faced with the challenge of acquiring affordable supplies to help protect their workers from contracting or spreading COVID-19. To avoid supply chain bottlenecks and health risks, it is critical that these organizations gain access to these resources through a streamlined process. To support safe and efficient reopening, the City has partnered with local startup Rheaply to launch “Chicago PPE Market”, a program that will facilitate access to PPE for Chicago’s small businesses and nonprofits. Beginning Tuesday, using Chicago PPE Market, Chicago-based organizations will be able to connect with a network of local manufacturers and suppliers to access protective shields, reusable face masks, and hand sanitizer at cost controlled rates. With Chicago PPE Market, small businesses and nonprofits can easily and affordably access the equipment and supplies necessary to keep staff and customers safe.
“As a Chicago small business, we understand the critical importance of helping to keep our community safe,” said Garry Cooper, CEO of Rheaply. “We are proud to partner with the City of Chicago to protect and support the city’s small businesses and nonprofits during this unprecedented time.”
Chicago is on track to transition from Phase Two (Stay-at-Home) to Phase Three (Cautiously Reopen) in early June, which will still require strict physical distancing but would begin to allow for some industries to start reopening.
The Mayor's Office said regardless of industry reopening plans, all residents should continue to abide by important guidance in Phase Three, including: physically distancing and wearing a face covering; non-business, social gatherings limited to less than 10 persons; staying at home if you feel ill or have come into contact with someone withCOVID-19; and getting tested if you have symptoms.
"Over the past several weeks, we have made tremendous progress in fighting COVID-19, containing its spread and saving lives," said CDPH Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady. "We must not lose the progress we have made. The virus will not miraculously vanish. When businesses and public places begin to reopen, residents return to work, and we all start going out more, it's crucial to continue following public health guidance - ensure a safe and healthy workplace, keep your distance and wash your hands."