Chicago Sets Rules For Dining Outdoors During Coronavirus Winter

CHICAGO — City Hall on Monday issued a set of guidelines for outdoor, cold-weather dining aimed at giving restaurants and bar owners time to prepare for serving supper during a coronavirus winter.

Later this month, city officials are expected to announce the winners of the Winter Design Challenge, a contest aimed at figuring out how to keep restaurants operating al fresco when it's, eh, freezing.

Until then, officials unveiled a framework for allowing businesses with permits to serve patrons outdoors, including setting up tents, yurts and plastic domes on private property and the public way under certain conditions:

• Half of the walls on temporary structures used to serve multiple tables must allow open air flow.
• Enclosed structures, including plastic domes with adequate ventilation will be allowed for single groups.
• Temporary structures must be made of fire-resistant material, weighted or anchored to the ground.
• Heating devices are allowed but must be included in outdoor seating permit applications.
• Enclosed areas with heating devices must have clearly marked entrances and exits
• Businesses must have sufficient fire extinguishers to cover indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Restaurants will need inclement weather plans in writing and trained to staff to prevent any injuries in storms, snow, or other unsafe situations.
• If plastic domes or other enclosed spaces are used, establishment must post placards advising about the increased risk of COVID-19 transmission within an enclosed space.

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