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State expands mask requirement in restaurants and bars

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Illinois

* Press release…

The State of Illinois today announced revised guidelines for restaurants and bar establishments statewide to operate safely and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Based on a recent increase in cases, these latest guidelines will require patrons to wear a mask during any interaction with wait staff, food service workers and other employees at bars and restaurants. Face coverings must be worn over the nose and mouth when patrons are approached and served by staff, including but not limited to when employees take patrons orders, deliver food and beverages, and service tables. This guidance will also apply to other facilities with food services areas that are currently subject to the Restore Illinois guidance, such as indoor recreational facilities, museums and entertainment venues.

New guidelines go into effect Wednesday, August 26th and will require face coverings to be worn both in indoor and outdoor dining settings in all eleven regions in the state. Full guidelines may be found on the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) website.

“Illinois residents continue to take important steps to protect the safety of our loved ones and neighbors. However, due to a recent uptick in cases, we must take additional precautionary steps when we are out in public,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Based on conversations and input from industry and business leaders, the State of Illinois is implementing updated guidelines which will allow restaurants and bars across the state to stay open while helping protect the health and safety of patrons and staff.”

The revised guidelines announced today build on both the statewide Restore Illinois guidelines as well as the tiered mitigation strategies that are implemented when a region sees consistent increased test positivity or hospital admissions. The latest data on regional test positivity and hospitals can be found on the Illinois Department of Public Health(IDPH) website. More information about the Restore Illinois guidelines and tiered mitigation measures can be found on the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) website.

“Going out for food and drinks should not be a reason or an excuse to let our guards down in the fight against COVID-19,” said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of IDPH. “IDPH and DCEO are updating current guidance to make it clear that face coverings should be worn in any situation where we are interacting with those outside of our immediate circles. We will continue to adapt our guidelines and institute additional precautions to help protect all residents that make up our communities.”

Patrons are currently required to wear a mask whenever on premises, except while eating and drinking at the table or bar. The new guidelines ensure that while seated, interactions between business staff and patrons can happen safely to prevent possible spread of the virus.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:31 pm

Comments

An improvement.
Many public health experts suggest closing the bars and indoor dining, so we can get infections down and safely open the schools. We’re not there yet.

Comment by Keyrock Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:41 pm
Absent enforcement, it’s unfortunately a paper tiger. I recently called the Cook County Sheriff about a yard party in an unincorporated area with a lot more than 50 people, most without masks. I was told that the Sheriff is not enforcing limits on gatherings anymore.

Comment by SouthSide Markie Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:41 pm
“patrons to wear a mask during any interaction with wait staff”

This will result in lots of messed up orders at restaurants

Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:42 pm
- This will result in lots of messed up orders at restaurants -

The horror. I guess having to pick onions off your burger is a fate worse than death to some delicate flowers.

Comment by Excitable Boy Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:49 pm
Nice thought but completely unenforceable in any consistent way. Not sure JB understands the limitations on enforcement- maybe he believes in the pixie dust approach- please explain how this will be enforced? Perhaps the mask police? Are similar limitations in place for looting and rioting?

Comment by Elliott Ness Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:53 pm
IDES complain they can’t afford security in order to open up local offices. Yet JB passed an EO that is toothless without an LEO or county health Dept official in every restaurant.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:59 pm
So much for the regional approach and following their own guidelines..

Comment by Really? Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:02 pm
This is why people don’t trust experts and politicians who claim to act on the advice to them. I type this while finishing lunch at one of my favorite local restaurants. If I understand this correctly as long as I have a fork in my hand with my mouth open I don’t have to wear a mask, but I need to wear a mask when my mouth’s closed each time the server refills my drink which has happened six times, (hey, the Thai food is spicy here). So what’s the policy when she approaches with the iced tea pitcher and the fork is on the way to my mouth?

Comment by Downstate Illinois Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:04 pm
This is toothless and yet law teaches. Perhaps it will allow people who want to do the right thing to be more considerate of the staff. I have heard from friends of mine (I stick to delivery/carry out) that this is largely considered an informal rule. If you see the waiter approaching, you put on a mask and conversely if you wish to summon a waiter, you put on your mask.

If we ban smoking in restaurants because the harm to the staff then this makes as much sense. And most of the enforcement of the smoking rules comes down to self-policing and peer pressure.

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:07 pm
-she approaches with the iced tea pitcher and the fork is on the way to my mouth-
-messed up orders-

Stop complaining. Cases are on the rise and changes have to be made. Other states in the Midwest and Northeast have made these mask requirements when servers are at the table for some time. Between JCAR last week and the new EOs this week, Illinois is again following the most up-to-date science.

Comment by MakePoliticsCoolAgain Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:10 pm
==@ Really? at 1:02PM ==

Yeah? Tell us, how has that concept been going so far?

Comment by Osborne Smith III Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:14 pm
Downstate,

You’re right. When you have a highly contagious disease that is spread by breathing, and especially talking, you can’t dine indoors both safely and normally.

The rule is trying to allow restaurants to operate, while reducing the risk to staff and patrons. It’s not great, but its better than either extreme.

Comment by Ebenezer Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:17 pm
I don’t get having the mask on with a server outdoors. The indoors is fine but is window dressing that will be loosely enforced overall.

The energy and focus should be on indoor bars.

Comment by 1st Ward Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:35 pm
==This will result in lots of messed up orders at restaurants==
==JB passed an EO that is toothless without an LEO or county health Dept official in every restaurant==

Same person, 17 minutes apart. Please decide if this EO will screw things up by making people wear masks, or do nothing because it’s toothless and unenforceable.

Comment by Roadrager Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:35 pm
“toothless and unenforceable” The EO may help a bit, especially with those willing to help. But it won’t sway a true covidiot.

Comment by repete Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 2:05 pm
“Illinois is again following the most up-to-date science.”

Serious question, not snark, but what science supports this mandate? Is there a study somewhere on this?

Comment by essentially working Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 2:11 pm
-Is there a study somewhere on this?-

Still the same science. Droplets from nose and mouth spread when someone isn’t wearing a mask. Droplets don’t stop spreading because you are ordering from a waiter/waitress. Wearing a mask is protecting both the customer and employee(s).

Comment by MakePoliticsCoolAgain Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 2:23 pm
It’s actually pretty easy to enforce if staff are encouraged by management not to take orders from unmasked customers.

Comment by striketoo Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 2:42 pm
When ordering from the bar I can see this working better. When at the table there should probably be a sign or signal that can be used to let the wait staff know to approach the table. Wait staff just walking up to the customers table will have to be a thing of the past. There is going to have to be better way offered for communication.

Comment by JustaThought Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 2:43 pm
Does anyone know who is enforcing this mask requirement and who I can file a complaint with? Was at restaurant Sunday people without masks all over. Have tried contacting IDPH and Gov offices. Get automated attendant. No one returned my calls. Why come out with new requirements if not enforcing?

Comment by katheryn Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 2:46 pm
1st Ward, the virus can be spread outside, too (though it’s safer than indoors). But if someone is infected and breathing right at or near you . . . .

Comment by Keyrock Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 2:46 pm
= So what’s the policy when she approaches with the iced tea pitcher and the fork is on the way to my mouth?=

While you and other jailhouse lawyers play the technical game COVID-19 does not.

What is clear to me is that you don’t get that this is intended to protect you and others.

But play games. I am sure that will be an effective therapeutic for someone who contracts COVID-19.

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 2:48 pm
“1st Ward, the virus can be spread outside, too (though it’s safer than indoors). But if someone is infected and breathing right at or near you”

You sure about that? I’ll stick with Dr. Gottleib. Science and Data.

https://twitter.com/ScottGottliebMD/status/1253321483402674178

Comment by 1st Ward Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 2:50 pm
I’ve been a restaurant with outside seating that was already using this policy here in Chicago. It’s super easy for everyone, and honestly a quick way to get your waitstaff’s attention. No issues with putting it back on in the middle of the meal to order and then again to receive a drink. This isn’t asking much people.

Comment by Former Bartender Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 3:32 pm
===Why come out with new requirements if not enforcing?===

Please enlighten us with what criminal penalties can be imposed on an individual for not wearing a mask?

Comment by DeputyDog Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 3:47 pm
===criminal penalties can be imposed on an individual for not wearing a mask?===

Trespassing.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 3:56 pm
All this talk about not enforceable makes me wonder how zone 4 and zone 7 like the enforcement now?

Comment by May Soon Be Required Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 4:19 pm
We need a flip down mask. Or maybe a mask attached to some Harpo glasses and mustache.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 4:33 pm
Why, yes 1st Ward. Risks are lower outdoors, but transmission is still possible, especially with close contact, like with a server. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/safe-activities-during-covid19/art-20489385

Comment by Keyrock Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 4:37 pm
And this, from today: https://time.com/5883081/covid-19-transmitted-aerosols/

Comment by Keyrock Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 8:10 pm
The issue is enforcement - who is going to do enforcement? Because it’s not being done. So all the requirements in the world won’t stop those who blatantly ignore them until they receive a fine, etc.

Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 8:45 am
===The issue is enforcement===

Most people will actually follow the rules when informed.

Stop whining and looking for loopholes and put on your mask and encourage your friends and family to do the same.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 9:08 am