The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) has issued a new COVID-19 Mitigation Order effective Jan. 3 requiring that customers (age 16+) of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and fitness facilities show proof of vaccination. The Order comes in response to the current COVID-19 surge of cases and hospitalizations in suburban Cook County.
The Public Health Order also requires employees of these Cook County dining, entertainment and fitness facilities to be vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test weekly.
The CCDPH states that businesses violating these orders will be subject to inspection and possible fines for violations.
As Des Plaines is located in the jurisdiction of the Cook County Department of Public Health, Des Plaines businesses (as defined below) are impacted by this Order and are encouraged to take necessary steps to comply.
The City has received questions as to how to implement these new rules. It is our understanding that businesses have discretion to develop their respective protocols, providing that they are consistent with the CCDPH requirements.
What are the New Requirements?
- Require patrons age 16 and older to show proof of vaccination along with corresponding identification (driver’s license).
- Develop a written protocol providing details for how you will enforce the Order, including checking vaccination and ensuring compliance among employees.
- Businesses may allow patrons to provide the required vaccination proof prior to entry, either directly to the business itself or through an intermediary, such as an event planner.
- CCDPH COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Compliance Plan - Guidance for employers to ensure compliance among employees.
- Post signage that advises patrons of the CCDPH vaccination requirement at the public entrances of the business.
- Sample signs are available for business use in English and Spanish.
Businesses Impacted:
- Indoor dining establishments, including bars, breweries, wine / spirit tasting rooms, restaurants, private clubs, country clubs, banquet halls, dining areas within any public business that is ancillary to the main business (cafes within grocery stores, other retail, etc.) coffee shops, food courts and food halls;
- Event spaces, including hotel ballrooms and commercial event and party venues and nightclubs;
- Recreation and entertainment venues in areas where food or beverages are served, including movie theaters, live performance spaces, including live theater and live music, sports arenas, skating rinks, adult entertainment venues, arcades, bowling alleys, play spaces, family entertainment centers, billiard halls, and venues for card playing; and
- All indoor settings for recreation and exercise, including health clubs, gyms, fitness centers, hotel fitness centers, recreation centers, yoga studios, cross-fit studios, cycling studios, dance studios, fieldhouses, boxing and kickboxing gyms, and other facilities conducting group fitness classes indoors.
Cook County still requires masks when indoors in a public place, regardless of vaccination status. Consistent with past practice, people may remove masks when stationary and actively eating or drinking in restaurants and bars, and when participating in activities that cannot be completed while masked.
Please direct your questions and/or concerns directly to the Cook County Department of Public Health and to report a COVID-19 related issue or complaint, complete this form and a member of CCDPH will contact you.
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