Aurora Unveils Reopening Plan For Restaurants, Retail Stores

AURORA, IL — Aurora officials on Tuesday released their plan to reopen the city’s restaurants and retail establishments, with restrictions set to loosen later this week under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan.

Many restaurants and stores have transitioned to delivery and curbside pickup over the past two months due to the coronavirus pandemic, but dine-in restaurants and some bars can reopen Friday with outdoor seating and new restrictions. Retailers can also welcome customers back inside with limited capacities, under the Restore Illinois plan.

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The 10-page Activate Aurora starts with a disclaimer that “any business that chooses to open may risk litigation” and warns that following safety guidelines will not always prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The plan is meant to be a “guiding document” for businesses that includes best practices from around the state and country.

Under the city’s plan, restaurants will be allowed to use a quarter of their parking lots to create outdoor seating areas, with approval, and city officials are exploring options to shut down streets and block off traffic to create dining space. Shutdowns are being considered in about a dozen locations across the city, including on South Stolp Avenue between Galena Boulevard and Downer Place, and on Pinney Street for use by restaurants on West New York Street.

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Restaurants that want to add temporary outdoor seating on city-owned property or expand into their parking lots must apply for a permit from the city. City officials are encouraging restaurants to explore using parklets, which can be installed in parking lanes to provide al fresco seating. Restaurants must receive approval from the county health department before cooking or grilling outside.

“We’re very confident that this is going to expand opportunities for our restaurants and retailers, and also give us a chance to kind of pilot this and test this safely and responsibly,” said Alex Alexandrou, the city’s chief management officer. “We hope some of these (ideas) will become part of the new normal.”

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Outdoor tables must be spaced at least 6 feet apart, and parties will be limited to no more than six people. Restaurants will be restricted to operating their outdoor dining areas between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. and live or amplified music will not be allowed, “to be considerate of residents,” Alexandrou said.

Customers will be allowed to use indoor restrooms but must wear a mask while inside a restaurant, according to the plan.

Restaurant employees must have their temperatures measured at the start of each shift and are required to wear protective gear, including masks and gloves, the plan states. Employees must take frequent breaks to wash their hands, and all restaurants must use disposable menus to limit contact.

The Activate Aurora plan makes restaurant owners and managers responsible for the safety of their employees and customers and calls on them to designate an employee to implement their plan and train others on proper procedures.

“It’s vital that owners and managers are leaders and are held responsible for the health and safety of employees and customers,” the plan states.

The city is also set to relax some restrictions on serving and selling liquor, but alcohol can only be sold if a person buys at least $10 of food, the plan states. Bar areas are still prohibited.

The Activate Aurora plan also provides some guidance for the city’s small businesses, some of which are “in desperate need of reopening.” The plan urges retailers to develop reopening plans with local health officials, landlords and tenants, and to be ready for a second wave of coronavirus cases in the city. Retailers should train employees on proper sanitation practices and consider testing employees, the plan states.