Following a continued decrease in local COVID-19 cases and with approximately 72 percent of eligible Evanston residents now fully vaccinated, the City of Evanston is providing updated guidelines for face coverings as the state moves to Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois recovery plan on Friday.
In accordance with state guidance, Evanston businesses and venues will also be able to resume operating at full capacity.
Beginning Friday, face coverings will no longer be required for fully vaccinated individuals at outdoor events and activities hosted by the City of Evanston, including the Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market, Starlight Concerts and Movies, and other outdoor City events.
Individuals are considered to be fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after their single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Evanston businesses and venues may continue to require face coverings regardless of vaccination status. Businesses and venues are encouraged to require face coverings for all patrons unless they can verify that individuals have been fully vaccinated.
Community members who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear a face covering and practice social distancing at indoor businesses and venues, as well as in outdoor public settings when maintaining a six-foot distance from others is not possible.
In addition, all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must continue to wear a face covering in the following settings:
- Indoors at City facilities, community centers and Evanston Public Library locations.
- Public transportation
- Health care settings
- K-12 schools and daycare centers
- Congregate settings, such as long-term care facilities and group homes
- Businesses and venues that choose to require face coverings
The City will continue to evaluate face covering guidelines and will provide additional updates, as necessary.
In alignment with state guidelines, businesses, large-scale events, conventions and other gatherings will no longer be subject to capacity limits.
All businesses and venues should continue to support social distancing to the extent possible, especially in indoor settings.
The State’s Phase 5 guidance for businesses and venues are available online