Chicago To Lift Mask and Proof Of Vaccine Mandates On Feb. 28

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that the city will drop its mask and proof-of-vaccination mandates on Feb. 28, the same day that masking restrictions are set to expire statewide. Chicago's public health commissioner, Dr. Allison Arwady, said coronavirus metrics have declined to a level that signals a lower risk of spreading the virus and allows the city to lift the restrictions. Lightfoot and Arwady said recent significant drops in those key metrics — hospital and intensive care unit capacity, cases and deaths per day, and test positivity — are the only reason for the move.

Masks will continue to be required in health care settings, on public transit, and in other congregate settings. 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. CDPH recommends Chicagoans who may be immunocompromised or have a family member who is immunocompromised still wear a mask, as well residents under the age of 5 who are still not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Please be kind and considerate of your fellow Chicagoans and the decisions we all continue to make to protect themselves and those around them.  

Click here to read the city announcement.