Tag: Chicago

Chicago Issues Proof of Vaccine Requirement for Certain Businesses Chicago will soon require some indoor businesses, including restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues, to verify consumers' vaccination status as a part of Public Health Order 2021-2 issued this December 21st, 2021. This new order goes into effect January 3rd, 2022, when Chicago will join New York City, Los Angeles, and some Bay Area counties in requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination. This may be in response to the Omicron variant sweeping the US and Chicago and driving a surge in cases. Public Health Order 2021-2 will mandate that applicable establishments must check for proof of full vaccination from patrons 5 years and older. Employees at covered facilities will also be required to be vaccinated or to submit weekly negative COVID-19 tests and wear a mask. The affected establishments include indoor dining, fitness, and entertainment and recreation venues of the following types. The indoor dining businesses affected will include restaurants, fast food, cafes, bars, breweries, distilleries, wineries, cafeterias, food courts, grocery stores, dining areas, banquet halls, and hotel ballrooms, among others. Indoor fitness establishments of all kinds will be covered, including gyms, boxing gyms, cycling, yoga, pilates, and dance studios, recreation facilities, hotel gyms, and all other facilities that are used for facilitating indoor group fitness classes. Indoor facilities for recreation and entertainment include any location where food and drinks are served. Examples include facilities such as bowling alleys, family recreation centers, theaters for a movie or live performances, party venues, sports arenas, and pool halls. Notably, regardless of the facility, this order does not change the mask mandate that is in place for all public indoor spaces. Fully Vaccinated Under the order, "fully vaccinated" will be based on the most recent guidelines given by the CDC or Chicago Department of Public Health, with the most restrictive guideline taking precedence. The current guidelines regard full vaccination as being two weeks after receiving the final dose of a two-dose series or a single-shot vaccine. This may change at any time, though to include booster doses as the protection from the original vaccine wanes. Proof of Vaccination The vaccination requirement will apply to everyone at least five years of age that "patronizes, enters, attends an event, or purchases goods or services" at one of the covered entities. For those at least 16 years of age, a photo ID will be required as well; acceptable proof of vaccination will be required, which includes: A vaccination card; A photocopy of a vaccination card; Digital proof of vaccination; or A printed record from the provider of the vaccination. Exemptions There are some exemptions to the order, including people entering the business in order to order or pick up food, deliver items, or use the bathroom for fewer than 10 minutes, performing artists and their company who do not reside in Chicago or regularly work at an applicable venue, pro-athletes and their company who enter an applicable establishment as part of their regular work as a team or in a competition and do not reside in Chicago, people who provide proof of a religious or medical exemption and the results of a COVID-19 test administered within the last 72 hours by a medical professional, people 18 or younger participating in a school or after-school activity, and people who are voting, accompanying a voter, or observing a municipal, state, or federal election. Employer Takeaway How long will this order last? Official sources indicate the city of Chicago will keep the order in effect for as long as the Omicron surge is ongoing and the risk for overwhelming hospital capacity is present. The order itself declares that it will remain in effect until the Commissioner determines that the threat posed by COVID-19 has reduced to the point that the order can safely be repealed. Pre-employ offers free resources to help you stay compliant in your hiring practices. Check out our guide on 5 Tips To Avoid FCRA Non-Compliance to keep your company up-to-date. STAY COMPLIANT WITH YOUR BACKGROUND

Tag: Chicago

Chicago Issues Proof of Vaccine Requirement for Certain Businesses

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