Chicago: Chicago will need evidence of coronavirus vaccination in restaurants, bars, fitness centers, and other indoor places, because Omicron variants that spread quickly pushed the surge in Covid-19 infection, said Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday.
Lightfoot said the requirements will be valid January 3, and will apply to places in the third largest city in which the food and drinks are served – including sports and entertainment areas – and a fitness center.
It does not apply to people to get takeout, who live in business less than 10 minutes.
Lightfoot said the move was needed because of a surge in cases and inpatient, with Chicago to see numbers at a level similar to the vaccine available.
Chicago reported an average of more than 1,700 new Covid cases per day, up from around 300 per day just a few weeks ago, he said.
“Obviously, I haven’t worry about Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020,” Lightfoot said.
He also urges people to vaccinate, say it’s the only way of life to return to some kind of normal and the best way to save lives.
The Mayor’s office said more than 60 Chicago residents were hospitalized with Covid every day and an average of 10 dying from Covid every day.
Most of the hospitalization and Covid Chicago’s death are people who are not vaccinated, the Mayor’s office said.
“The solution is a vaccine,” Lightfoot said.
On Monday, Illinois reported about 12,330 new Covid-19 cases – the highest total daily in more than a year.
Most of the increase was driven by the Omicron variant, encouraging fear of a winter surge.
Federal health officials announced Monday that Omicron contributed 73% of the new infection last week, almost six times in just seven days.
Disease control centers and prevention of diseases reported the prevalence of omicron even higher in several parts of the US, with a variant responsible for an estimated 90% of new infections in the Midwest industry, the New York, Southeast and Pacific Northwest industries.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced Monday that the city would need evidence of vaccination for workers and customers in many businesses in the room starting in mid-January.
New York and San Francisco already need it.
Rob Karr, the President of the Illinois retail trader association, called Chicago needs “a fairly measured approach.” “Of course it’s better than turning off the business,” he said.
Lightfoot said there would be a weekly testing option for employees who were not vaccinated, but there was no testing option for customers.
Proof of vaccination may be with a physical card, or photo card.
The requirement does not apply to synagogues, elementary and secondary schools, grocery stores and offices or housing buildings.
Allison Arwady, Community Health Commissioner Chicago, said the requirements will apply to everyone aged 5 years and over, and that they must be “fully vaccinated,” which is currently defined in two weeks after the second dose of the vaccine.
For people aged 16 years and over, a valid photo ID must be served together with a vaccination card.
Lightfoot said city inspectors will monitor business compliance with requirements.
Warnings will be issued for businesses that do not comply, but if a business repeatedly violates the rules, “We will lower the hammer,” Lightfoot said.
Much about Omicron variants remain unknown, including whether it causes more or less severe diseases.
Preliminary studies show vaccination will require booster shots for the best opportunities to prevent omicron infection but even without additional doses, vaccination still has to offer strong protection against severe diseases and deaths.
Arwady said 32.5% of Chicago’s 18-year-old residents had received Booster’s shot.