Chicago COVID restrictions loosening for restaurants, theaters, festivals, more
As Chicago COVID metrics improve, Mayor Lightfoot updated restrictions from Navy Pier
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced loosening restrictions in Chicago Thursday, as the city's COVID-19 metrics continue to improve.
WATCH: Mayor Lightfoot announces loosening Chicago COVID restrictions
Lightfoot announced the launch of "Open Chicago," the latest initiative to safely reopen the city, at Navy Pier Thursday. The pier is slated to reopen Friday.
Open Chicago's initial programming will feature activated, re-imagined and pop-up spaces for Chicago residents to enjoy, according to a news release from the mayor's office. These spaces will either build on ongoing Chicago traditions, are expanded from programs that launched last year, or are new programs specifically crafted to get the city back into a new normal.
It should allow for the reopening of public amenities and private venues; activating public spaces with arts, culture and recreation; expanding outdoor dining; and ensuring businesses can return to offices and in-person events, Lightfoot's office said.
"I am grateful to each and every City, community and business leader who partnered with us on this incredible initiative as well as our residents, who continue to follow public health guidance and keep our COVID-19 metrics low enough to launch efforts like these," the mayor said.
Due to improvement in the city's reopening metrics and the ongoing distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine - two million doses administered in the city and counting - Chicago will be loosening Phase Four regulations to allow for higher capacity across industries effective immediately, Chicago officials said.
Arwady said the city is seeing positive signs in the fight against COVID-19, which could mean the return of summer activities very soon.
The reopening metrics have remained stable or decreased over the past two weeks, with Chicago's test positivity rate dropping to the "Lower-Risk level," below 5% earlier this week for the first time since late March, city officials said. ICU and non-ICU hospital capacity remains in the "Moderate-Risk level" despite the recent rise in cases.
"While this is an exciting moment, I have to warn everyone that we are not out of this pandemic yet, and we need to continue to be safe and smart. We need all Chicagoans to get the vaccine - it is available, it is safe and effective, and it is the best tool we have to stop the spread of COVID-19," Chicago Department of Public Health Director Dr. Allison Arwady said.
