Actions Chicago Could Take If COVID Measures Continue to Rise, Says City’s Top Doc – NBC Chicago

Chicago officials this week detailed steps health officials could take to curb growing coronavirus measures across the city, including providing proof of vaccination and setting capacity limits.

As the new omicron COVID-19 variant continues to spread in the United States, with at least one case identified in Chicago, health officials said the city may start requiring proof of vaccination status in public places.

During a Facebook Live event, Dr Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said some private facilities have already started requiring proof of vaccination, and the city may follow suit.

“Could we start requiring proof of vaccination for more activities and public spaces? Yes, I think we could,” Arwady said. “I’m certainly more interested in that than the need for some of the major closures.”

Chicago will continue to demand masks indoors, she noted, while demanding that city workers be vaccinated against the virus and encouraging increased hand washing and social distancing as cases of COVIDs are increasing across the city.

Previously, Chicago officials had declared proof of a vaccination requirement similar to New York’s for things like indoor dining, restaurants, bars, gyms and other places. was not “off the table”.

Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, city councilor for Chicago’s 35th District, said officials may consider mitigating measures such as limiting capacity thresholds at various facilities, similar to what the city did during a major wave of COVID last year.

“One option would be to limit the number of people who can go to a bar or a restaurant, you know, capping it at maybe 50% or less,” Rosa said.

He added that residents shouldn’t be worried about the potential policy as officials have implemented it across the United States “with very good results.”

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said on Monday that her administration has no plans to adopt a vaccine requirement for employees similar to that of New York City, which is expected to be the vaccine mandate on Monday. more ambitious nationwide and will require all private employers in New York City to institute vaccine requirements for their employees later this year.

During a press briefing on Monday, Lightfoot said she had no plans to implement a similar warrant in Chicago, saying there were real questions about whether such a requirement would pass judicial review.

“We won’t see that here in the city of Chicago,” she said. “And frankly, there is the question of whether something like that is going to support what will invariably be judicial review.”

Lightfoot, whose administration has demanded that all city workers be vaccinated against COVID or undergo bi-weekly testing, says it appreciates the efforts of many companies and sites to implement a variety of requirements for them. customers and participants, including those who require a COVID vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter a business.

“I am encouraged and encourage employers of all types to make sure that they are doing everything possible to maximize safety in their workplace, as we have done,” she said.

With the increase in COVID cases and the emergence of the omicron variant in the United States, Lightfoot says taking action to encourage vaccinations and social distancing is essential to keep residents safe.

“The pandemic is real. It’s not going to go away, ”she said. “We are watching with great interest the developments and the science surrounding the omicron variant. “