City Issues Emergency Orders 20-24 and 20-25
The City of Champaign has issued two new Emergency Orders to continue to promote public safety amidst the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The Orders were implemented to help Champaign-Urbana prevent a large spike in COVID-19 cases that could coincide with the return of thousands of college students to our community for the start of the fall semester.
Today, Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen issued Emergency Order 20-24, which applies to all bars and restaurants in Champaign which hold a liquor license. The Order goes into effect at 5 p.m. on August 19, 2020, and requires all customers to be seated in order to be served by the establishment and while consuming food or beverages on premises. This applies to both indoor and outdoor service areas. Customers may stand only for limited purposes, including using the restroom or picking up an order, but must wear a mask or face coverings when doing so. The Order also states that beginning August 19, individuals under the age of 21 will not be allowed to enter or remain inside a bar (Class A liquor license) after 9:00 pm each night.
Mayor Feinen also signed Emergency Order 20-25, which temporarily restricts indoor dining in the Campustown area. The Order allow for the on-premise service and consumption of food and drink in outdoor service areas only. The Order goes into effect at 5 p.m. on August 19, 2020, for Campustown bars and at 9 p.m. on August 21 for Campustown restaurants and will be in effect through Labor Day. Customers may enter Campustown bars and restaurants for limited purposes, like placing an order, picking up a carry out order, or using the restroom, but they must wear a mask or face covering when inside the establishment. Bar and restaurant owners may also be allowed to temporarily expand their outdoor service area if certain safety requirements are met.
“According to the modeling data provided by University of Illinois researchers, the next several weeks will be critical to making sure the spread of the Coronavirus doesn’t get out of control as students return for the start of the fall semester,” reports Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen. “We have all made great sacrifices since the pandemic started, and I realize that these changes will be inconvenient for our residents and businesses, but they are necessary to flatten the curve and prevent a large increase in COVID-19 cases in our community as the fall semester gets underway. Flattening the curve now gives us a much better chance that students will be able to remain on campus and the University will be able to stay open for the remainder of the semester as originally planned.”
Champaign’s Emergency Orders can be reviewed online at champaignil.gov/covid-19. Business owners may also check out the resources available at champaigncountysafe.org, including best practice guidelines, signage, and more.