Movies, Zoo, Summer Camps, Gyms In Chicago Set To Reopen Friday

CHICAGO — Museums, summer camps, Lincoln Park Zoo, performance venues and indoor dining are set to reopen with public health safety restrictions Friday as the city enters the next phase of cautiously reviving the local economy after a months long shutdown due to the coronavirus.

The "gradually resume" phase of reopening will allow businesses to reopen with increased gathering capacities to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

“The service and sacrifice made by Chicagoans from every corner of our city and every walk of life has allowed us to safely reach the point where we are now,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement.

“It includes the incredible work done by our healthcare professionals, first responders, and essential workers who have cared for our residents and kept our city running. Everything we’ve done to meet this moment has been the direct result of the hard work and sacrifice of our residents, which has not only saved the lives of thousands of Chicagoans over these past three months, but also helped lay the groundwork for the transformative recovery that will follow.”

Movie theaters will be allowed to open, and fitness centers will be allowed to expand indoor activities with social distancing and face mask requirements, city officials said. Lincoln Park Zoo will remain free, but people will be required to make reservations to visit. Museum officials, including the Art Institute of Chicago, recommend visitors also make reservations before visiting.

While summer camps will be allowed to reopen, Chicago Park District playgrounds will remained closed to the public based on public health guidance.

Chicago public health department Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said the city will move to the next phase of reopening sooner than the July 1 projection because the city's COVID-19 data shows the city has moved to a "medium" risk for spreading coronavirus. Despite the reduced restrictions on businesses and gatherings, Arwady said people should continue to wear face masks and practice social distancing.

"I can’t emphasize enough the need for people and businesses to continue to abide by the public health guidance, so we can avoid the spike in cases we’re seeing in other cities and states that re-opened before us.” she said.

"If and when Chicago continues to make progress against COVID-19, capacity restrictions will be loosened further within phase four. For example, right now, while Chicago is still at a moderate-high level of new cases, there is approximately a 15% chance that a gathering of 50 Chicagoans will include someone with active COVID-19 infection. This is concerning because many people may not have symptoms but can still spread COVID-19, which is why keeping a 6-foot distance and wearing a face covering is so important. Once Chicago has fewer than 100 new cases per day, the city will move to a moderate-incidence level by national standards, and gathering sizes and capacity limits can more safely increase."