It was a holiday in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, as indoor meals were allowed to resume in accordance with Illinois Level 1 coronavirus attenuation provisions.
“I feel great,” said Samuel Ross, who visited a local restaurant after the announcement was made on Saturday. “I feel good to have draft beers, only the freshness of draft beer took me out today.”
Ross was one of several customers who spent Saturday afternoon at the Haymarket Brewery in West Loop, Chicago.
Under level 1 mitigation conditions, bars and restaurants can open at a capacity of 25%, requiring party reservations for four or fewer people at the table. These units can be opened between 06:00 and 23:00
While many places have welcomed the news of the reopening, not everyone is ready to welcome customers indoors, including off-color beer from Lincoln Park.
“Everyone has risk tolerances and things that make sense to them and their business,” said owner John Laffler. “For us with the vaccine not right here, but imminent, it’s beyond our risk tolerance to start bringing people inside.”
For restaurants and bars to move to phase 4 restrictions, the positivity rate must be less than or equal to 6.5% for three consecutive days, the availability of the ICU bed must remain above 20% for three consecutive days and hospitalizations it must remain constant or decrease for seven out of 10 days.
In Chicago, the positivity rate is currently at 7.6% and declining, while the city meets the other criteria to move forward. If the city can enter Phase Four, then the party limits will be extended to 10 people or less.