On June 11, 2021, the State of Illinois officially moved into Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan. This means that all businesses, large-scale events, conventions, amusement parks, seated spectator events and more can resume operating at full capacity. Additionally, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no longer an outdoor mask requirement and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) guidance that has been governing business operations throughout the pandemic is discontinued, allowing businesses to return to their normal business practices. Per the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Phase 5 Guidance for Businesses and Venues, individuals who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear masks or social distance indoors or outdoors. It is still recommended that individuals who are not vaccinated continue to wear masks and social distance indoors. Despite movement to Phase 5, all individuals will continue to be required to wear masks in the following settings: (1) public transportation, (2) congregate facilities, (3) health care settings and (4) where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations including business and workplace guidance. This leads to an important point, while Phase 5 allows for the lifting of many of the COVID-19 restrictions that have been in force, businesses and municipalities are permitted to continue to require masks and social distancing as they deem appropriate. Schools, daycare settings and educational institutions should continue to follow separate guidance issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
For more information about this article, contact Tressler attorney Elizabeth Wagman at ewagman@tresslerllp.com.