Details of the five-phase plan to reopen Chicago

Mayor Lori Lightfoot unveiled the city’s guidelines on Friday.

By Sun-Times Staff Report

Few cars could be seen traveling inbound on the Eisenhower Expressway, I-290, from the overpass at South Leavitt Street, shortly before 2 p.m. Monday afternoon, April 6, 2020. — A nearly-empty Eisenhower Expressway on a weekday afternoon in April: just another sign of how life has changed in Chicago during the pandemic.

The city on Friday outlined the rules for each phase of their reopening plan.

PHASE ONE: STRICT STAY-AT-HOME

Limit contact with others, with goal of rapidly slowing spread of COVID-19.

• Essential workers go to work; others work from home

• Stay home except for essential activities

• Physically distance from anyone you don’t live with, especially vulnerable friends and family

PHASE TWO: STAY-AT-HOME

Guard against unsafe interactions; goal is to continue flattening the curve while safely being outside.

• Essential workers go to work; others work from home

• Stay home as much as possible

• Wear a face covering outside the home

• Physically distance from anyone you don’t live with, especially vulnerable friends and family

PHASE THREE: CAUTIOUSLY REOPEN

Strict physical distancing. Some businesses opening; goal is to begin to reopen Chicago safely.

• Non-essential workers begin to return to work in a phased way

• Select businesses, non-profits, city entities open with appropriate protections for workers and customers

• When meeting others, physically distance and wear face coverings.

• Non-business, social gatherings of fewer than 10 allowed

• Limited reopening of public amenities

• Stay home if feeling ill or after contact with someone with COVID-19

• Physically distance from vulnerable people

• Get tested if you have symptoms

Here’s how Mayor Lori Lightfoot hopes to reopen Chicago

PHASE FOUR: GRADUALLY RESUME

Staggered reopening continues while ensuring residents’ safety.

• Additional business, capacity restrictions lifted with safeguards

• Additional public amenities open

• Continue physical distancing, wearing face coverings

• Vulnerable residents still allowed to shelter

• Get tested if you have symptoms or think you have had COVID-19

PHASE FIVE: PROTECT

Continue protecting vulnerable populations to maintain safety until coronavirus contained.

• All businesses open

• Non-vulnerable individuals can resume working

• Most activities resume with health safety in place

• Some events can resume

• Set up screenings and tests at work or with your family

• Sign up for a vaccine on the COVID Coach web portal

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