Illinois Enters “Bridge Phase” And CDC Again Updates Guidelines For Fully Vaccinated Persons – What Do Community Associations Need To Know?

Bridge Phase Capacity Restrictions

On Friday, May 14th, Illinois officially entered the “Bridge Phase” of the “Restore Illinois Plan”, which relaxes the Phase 4 capacity limits. Below is a summary of the Statewide “Bridge Phase” capacity limits that are now in effect:

Click here for further information regarding the “Bridge Phase” and specific considerations for Illinois community associations and here for full text of the “Bridge Phase” guidance.

In addition, the following is a summary of the City of Chicago “Bridge Phase” capacity limits that are now in effect:

*=Consistent with anticipated Statewide “Bridge Phase” capacity limits.

The “Bridge Phase” provides for increased capacity limits both Statewide and for Chicago community associations, and it is reasonable for community association boards to consider re-opening amenities with restrictions and heightened health and safety protocols (even if it is only outdoor amenities initially) and/or modifying current restrictions as appropriate; however, boards may impose stricter restrictions and/or keep common element amenities closed for health and safety reasons.

Further Updated CDC Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Persons

On Thursday, May 13th, the CDC issued further updated guidance for persons who are fully vaccinated (available here), which provides that fully vaccinated persons “can resume activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart” except where required by federal, state or local “laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”

The CDC previously updated its guidance on April 28th to provide that persons who are fully vaccinated can attend small outdoor gatherings and outdoor activities without wearing a mask “except in certain crowded settings and venues” but recommended continued precautions for fully vaccinated persons, including wearing a proper mask while in indoor public settings or visiting indoors with unvaccinated persons (click here for our article on the updated CDC guidance from April 28th).  The recent May 13th CDC guidance further relaxes the mask directive and only provides for fully vaccinated persons to wear a mask where required by federal, state, or local laws, rules and regulations.

The May 13th updated CDC guidance for fully vaccinated persons is broad and defers to state and local guidance as to whether fully vaccinated persons are to wear a mask. As a reminder, Executive Order 2020-9 (as re-issued), which requires that persons over age two who are able to medically tolerate it wear a mask in “any common or shared space” in “a residential multi-unit building,” remains in effect (for now) and thus masks must be worn in common elements / areas of Chicago community associations until Executive Order 2020-09 is repealed. Click here for current text of Executive Order 2020-9.  As noted above, community association boards may continue to require that masks be worn in the common elements / areas for health and safety reasons.

LP is committed to keeping our community association clients updated, informed, and prepared to proactively navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. For questions about handling specific issues related to COVID-19 in your community association, please contact Howard Dakoff, Patricia O’Connor, Adam Kahn, or Molly Mackey of LP’s Community Association Group.