Cook County Department of Public Health Officials Announce Phase 5 Reopening Guidance in Suburban Cook County: All sectors to reopen at full capacity as COVID-19 metrics improve, vaccinations rise

Forest Park, IL—Today, the Cook County Department of Public Health is issuing COVID-19 Phase 5 reopening guidance removing all capacity limits and restrictions on all sectors of the economy. This guidance is effective Friday, June 11, 2021.

Suburban Cook County has met Phase 5 guidelines, including vaccination of at least 50 percent of residents ages 16 and older, and stable or declining COVID-19 metrics recorded during a 28-day period.

“It’s been a long 18 months, but we continue see a steady improvement in metrics while the vaccination rates have climbed, which allows us to return to a more normal way of life,” said Dr. Rachel Rubin, Senior Public Health Medical Officer and Co-Lead, Cook County Department of Public Health.

• Conventions, festivals, and other large events can proceed at full capacity. Phase 5 allows businesses, schools, and recreation to resume normal operations with new state safety guidance and procedures, including
• For businesses and venues where everyone present is fully vaccinated, the state does not require face coverings and social distancing in both indoor and outdoor settings.
• Businesses and municipalities are permitted to continue requiring face coverings and social distancing as they deem appropriate.
• For businesses and venues where everyone present is not fully vaccinated, unvaccinated persons should wear a face covering and maintain six feet social distancing.
• Businesses and venues may continue to require face coverings and/or social distancing. At outdoor businesses and venues, unvaccinated persons may choose not to wear a face covering when able to maintain a six-foot social distance when outdoors, unless required to do so by a business or municipality.
• Individuals in schools, day care settings, and educational institutions should continue to follow separate guidance issued by the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and Illinois Department of Public Health.

“We’re approaching the end of the pandemic tunnel, but we still encourage everyone over the age of 12 to get vaccinated to protect your family and community,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, Senior Medical Officer and Co-Lead, Cook County Department of Public Health.

If there is a resurgence in metrics, including COVID-19 hospital admissions, ICU bed availability and deaths, Cook County could revert to a previous phase.

The current 7-day rolling average of cases reported in suburban Cook County is 131, down from 216 the previous week.

Phase 5 guidance includes limited circumstances and settings where all individuals, including those who are fully vaccinated, must continue to wear a mask in accordance with CDC guidance: 1) on public transportation, 2) in congregate facilities, 3) in health care settings, and where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

Although people who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a face covering under state guidance, businesses and venues should be supportive of customers and employees who choose to wear a face covering. Additionally, persons who are immunocompromised should consider wearing a face covering when in settings where others may not be fully vaccinated. All unvaccinated persons should wear face coverings in crowded settings, both indoors and outdoors, especially when youth are present.

All businesses and venues should support social distancing to the extent possible, especially in indoor settings. Businesses and venues should apply best practices in managing distancing in such places as concessions/counters, public restrooms, and lines/queuing.