BREAKING: Outdoor Seating at Bars and Restaurants, Expanded Recreation Expected by End of May

BREAKING: Outdoor Seating at Bars and Restaurants, Expanded Recreation Expected by End of May

  Wednesday, May 20, 2020    Julie Tappendorf

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This afternoon, Governor Pritzker announced that outdoor seating at bars and restaurants will now be allowed as part of Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan, which is expected in all parts of the state by the end of May. That is a change from previous guidance that would have continued the current restaurant and bar restrictions until Phase 4. We expect state guidance on outdoor seating to include the following requirements:

• tables six feet apart;
• tables away from sidewalks;
• mask requirements; and
• other distancing measures.

The Governor is encouraging municipalities to assist restaurants in expanding their outdoor restaurant seating options, and the Illinois Restaurant Association is promoting creative strategies, such as closing streets for restaurant use, and expanded sidewalk cafes in parking lots and public ways.

The Governor also announced expanded recreation options as part of Phase 3, including:

• re-opening of indoor and outdoor tennis facilities with Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) safety precautions and capacity limits;
• golf foursomes out on the same tee times, and carts with one person per cart, or one immediate household per cart;
• boating or camping with up to ten people; and 
• guidance for driving ranges, outdoor shooting ranges, paintball courses, and other outdoor recreational businesses.

Phase 3 will also allow health clubs, gyms, and fitness studios to provide one-on-one personal training in indoor facilities and outdoor fitness classes of up to ten people.

Personal care services and retail stores will also be able to open to in-person shopping consistent with IDPH guidance.

Local governments are authorized to adopt stricter regulations where desired. 

This information is based on the Governor's press release today, so there is likely to be more details on these changes when the executive order is issued, so stay tuned for further updates.

Post authored by Daniel J. Bolin, Ancel Glink