Oak Park adopts gradual approach to easing mitigation measures

Feb. 10, 2021 update - In an order issued today, Oak Park Public Health Director Joseph T. Terry further eased COVID-19 mitigation measures to expand indoor dining capacity for all businesses that offer food or beverages for on-premises consumption, including restaurants, bars and grocery stores. Indoor service now is limited to the lesser of 50 patrons or 50 percent of room capacity. The maximum size of any group dining together is six persons. Click here to read the order.

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Feb. 4, 2020 – Oak Park is joining surrounding communities in suburban Cook County in taking a more gradual approach to easing COVID-19 mitigation measures that govern restaurants, bars, gyms and a range of other activities than is currently allowed under state guidelines.

In a public health order issued today, the Oak Park Department of Public Health announced it was adopting additional mitigation measures in an effort to mirror current regulations in surrounding communities under the jurisdiction of the Cook County Department of Public Health.

Earlier this week Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that Region 10, which includes Oak Park and the rest of suburban Cook County, can move to Phase 4 mitigation. Since October, Region 10 has fluctuated between Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 of the state’s mitigation plan, which included varying degrees of restrictions, including the prohibition of indoor dining.

In recent weeks those restrictions have gradually been loosened as Region 10 met specific criteria outlined by the Illinois Department of Public Health, such as declining positivity rate and a decrease in the number of occupied intensive care beds in the region.

Interim Oak Park Health Director Joseph T. Terry determined additional mitigation measures beyond what is permissible under the state’s Phase 4 mitigation guidelines are necessary to control the spread of COVID-19 locally.

• Click here to view the updated public health order

The Oak Park Department of Public Health is one of four state-certified municipal health departments in suburban Cook County along with Evanston, Skokie and Stickney. All other communities in suburban Cook County fall under the jurisdiction of the Cook County Department of Public Health.

Current mitigation measures in Oak Park include the following:

Bars, Restaurants, Private Clubs  (All businesses that offer food or beverages for on-premises consumption  -- including, but not limited to, restaurants, grocery stores, and food halls):

• Indoor service is limited to the lesser of 25 patrons or 25% of capacity per room.
• Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service.  Establishments that serve alcoholic liquors without a food license can reopen indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment (e.g., making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services).  Indoor and outdoor table size limited to no more than six people.
• Table placement must allow for parties to be seated six (6) feet apart from one another.  Bar seating allowed with six (6) feet between parties.
• All staff must be masked at all times. Patrons are required to be masked unless actively eating.
• Those seated at a bar must be masked and not allowed to sit unmasked unless eating or actively drinking. If a patron is unmasked a member of the restaurant staff must ask the customer to mask and if not complied with after requested to leave. Failure to require patrons to be masked is a violation of the establishment to operate safely.
• Patrons shall not congregate prior to being seated. Patrons waiting for a table must wait socially spaced outdoors.
• Outdoor service includes:
  
  • Rooms with retractable roofs;
  • Rooftops;
  • Multi-party structures, such as tents or scaffolding installations, with at least 50% of walls completely open; and
  • Single-party structures, such as igloos, with proper ventilation.
  • Tables indoors within eight feet of an open wall or window that is at least 50% open to the outdoor air.

Meetings, Social Events and Gatherings - including, but not limited to, weddings, potlucks, etc.:   

Indoor events are allowed at the lesser of 25% capacity, or a maximum of 25 individuals.  Events must follow indoor dining guidelines as promulgated by the Illinois Department of Public Health or other applicable agency.

Indoor and Outdoor Activities:

• Parks, Outdoor Flea Markets, and Outdoor Attractions.  Each outdoor space is limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 100 individuals, while practicing social distancing.
• Indoor spaces (e.g., field houses, indoor exhibit spaces) are limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals per partitioned space.
• Indoor Recreation Centers (e.g., bowling alleys, arcades).
  
  • Indoor spaces are limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals per space.
  • If a facility has an outdoor component, each outdoor space is limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 100 individuals, while practicing social distancing.
• Organized Group Recreational Activities (i.e., sports, indoor sports and activities facilities).
  
  • Limit group sporting and recreational activities including youth and adult recreational sports to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals indoors. This includes park districts and travel leagues.
  • Individual training may continue (with facility reservation).
  • Locker rooms and showers can remain open, if strict and frequent cleaning measures are in place.
  • Illinois All Sports Policy is required to be followed for sports play level and allowances.
  • All sports participants playing indoors must be masked or play risk level will be elevated per Illinois All Sports Policy.

Arts and Culture:

• Museums
  
  • Capacity limited to 25% occupancy.
  • Guided tours limited to 50 individuals per group.
• Performance Venues and Movie Theaters.
  
  • Indoor spaces limited to the lesser of 40% capacity or a maximum of 50 individuals per space.
  • If a facility has an outdoor component, each outdoor space is limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 100 individuals, while practicing social distancing.
• Film and Television Production.
  
  • Production is encouraged to be limited to groups of cast and crew of no more than 50 individuals in confined rooms or spaces.
  • Capacity is limited to 50% for all indoor spaces, while still adhering to gathering size restrictions.

Health and Fitness Centers:

• Indoor facilities are limited to a maximum of 40% capacity.
• Gatherings of employees and customers in common areas (e.g., check-in area) is limited to a maximum of 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
• Indoor fitness classes are limited to 15 individuals.
• Outdoor fitness classes are limited to a maximum of 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
• Locker rooms and showers can remain open if strict and frequent cleaning measures are in place.
• Ancillary accommodations, including saunas and steam rooms, where social distancing and frequent cleaning cannot take place, must remain closed.

Personal Services:

• Indoor space limited to the lesser of 40% capacity or 50 individuals, while practicing social distancing.
• If a service requires the removal of face coverings (e.g., facials, beard trimmings) employees must wear both a mask and eye protection (e.g., face shield, protective glasses).

Retail Stores:

• General merchandise stores and convenience stores are limited to a maximum of 40% capacity.
• Grocery stores and pharmacies are limited to a maximum of 50% capacity.
• Gatherings of employees and customers at an ingress/egress spot or other gathering spot is limited to no more than 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
• Smoking is permitted in hookah stores, cigar lounges and other retail tobacco shops, limited to the lesser of 25% capacity, or 25 individuals per room, while ensuring proper social distancing

Hotel & Accommodations

• Gatherings in common spaces (e.g., lobby area) is limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
• Fitness centers are limited to a maximum of 40% capacity.
• Event and meeting spaces are limited to 25% capacity up to a maximum of 25 individuals.

Short Term Rentals:

Gatherings limited to no more than 10 individuals in a single rental property or associated building common area/room, following building and individual property owner guidance.

Office Buildings:

• All employees who can work remotely are encouraged to work remotely.
• If remote work is not possible, capacity is limited to 40% for all indoor spaces, including tenant spaces.
• Gatherings of occupants in cafeterias, meeting rooms, tenant lounges, and other gathering points are limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals.

Residential Buildings:

• Indoor gatherings within private residences are limited to 10 individuals.
   
• Capacity in common areas and amenity spaces (e.g., conference rooms, tenant lounges) are limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals for indoor spaces or activities, while ensuring proper social distancing.

Businesses:

• Manufacturing.  Gatherings of employees in cafeterias, meeting rooms and other gathering points are limited to no more than 50 people, while ensuring proper social distancing.
• Construction.  No more than 50 people shall gather in any meetings or in an ingress/egress spot or other gathering spot at a construction site.
• Transportation and Warehousing.  Gatherings of employees in cafeterias, meeting rooms and other gathering points are limited to no more than 50 people, while ensuring proper social distancing.
• Healthcare.  Gatherings of individuals in cafeterias, meeting rooms, and other gathering points are limited to no more than 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
• Transportation.
  
  • Bus/Train.   15 passenger limit on 40-ft buses and 22 passenger limit on 60-ft buses and all train cars.
  • Taxis and rideshare vehicles are limited to a maximum of 9 individuals, including the driver.

For the latest information about COVID-19 in Oak Park, visit www.oak-park.us/covid19.