City to Remove Mask and Vaccine Requirements for Certain Public Settings on February 28

On February 28, the City will remove the mask and vaccine requirements for certain public spaces to align with the State of Illinois’ previously announced plans to lift the statewide indoor mask mandate on that day. 

Activities can resume without wearing a mask indoors on February 28, except where required by federal, state, local, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

Masks will continue to be required in the following settings:

• Healthcare settings
• Congregate settings (long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, shelters, etc.)
• Public transportation (airplanes, trains, buses, taxis, ride-hail, maritime transportation, trolleys, etc.): Follow federal guidelines in effect through at least March 18, 2022

Businesses can make independent decisions to continue to implement public health mitigations, including requiring masks and vaccination.

As the City transitions its mitigation measures to remove the mask requirement, many Chicagoans will continue to wear masks in public spaces for a variety of reasons, even if they are vaccinated. For example, after 5 days of isolation or quarantine, masks will continue to be required in days 6-10 in public spaces, as they are now. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends Chicagoans who may be immunocompromised or have a family member who is immunocompromised still wear a mask, as well residents who are unvaccinated.

The key metrics of the City used to track COVID-19 cases and hospital capacity since early in the pandemic include COVID-19 cases diagnosed per day, test positivity, and hospital and ICU beds occupied by COVID-19 patients. Visit the COVID-19 Dashboard for data. By February 28, assuming declines continue in the 7-day rolling average, the city will have been in the lower risk range for two weeks and able to lift these restrictions.

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