Illinois restaurants and bars can reopen earlier with outdoor seating, Pritzker says
CHICAGO - Restaurants and bars in Illinois will be allowed to reopen earlier than expected, but with outdoor seating only, Governor JB Pritzker announced Wednesday.
The businesses will be allowed to reopen as part of Phase 3 of the governor’s reopening plan, which is set to take effect at the end of May.
The announcement is a shift from Illinois’ original guidelines, which only allowed restaurants to reopen for dine-in service beginning in Phase 4, which would not have began until the end of June.
"After listening to and working with restaurant industry representatives together with our epidemiologists, today I’m announcing an additional option for bars and restaurants interested in resuming operations earlier: opening for outdoor seating when Phase 3 begins, likely for everyone just nine days from now," Pritzker said during his daily press conference.
“It’s a lot to process right now. I’m ready to open it. Now it’s just navigating everything behind it. How we are going to do that? Tables, spacing,” said Maple and Ash manager Matt Ivanovich.
The Gold Coast restaurant already has a patio-space footprint. It is now just looking for more guidance from the state.
The governor is urging municipalities to help restaurants expand their outdoor seating.
“Do whatever is in their power and best fits their communities to help these restaurants,” Pritzker said.
“Let's close down streets, let's expand sidewalk cafes, that use parking lot and public ways that show the world how innovative Illinois can be,” said Sam Toia of the Illinois Restaurant Association.
One customer at Dublin’s Bar and Grill excited to hear the news, wanting to be first on the patio.
“We had a phone call today actually someone asking for reservations already. We don’t take reservations unfortunately,” Bireta said.
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All parts of Illinois are on track to see coronavirus-related restrictions loosened and more businesses reopen before the end of the month, Gov. Pritzker said Tuesday, while also warning that residents must remain diligent about stopping the spread of COVID-19.
Governor Pritkzer's five-phased plan is guided by public health metrics designed for reopening businesses, schools, and recreational activities in each phase.
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For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and death.