Notably in Chicago, Fifty/50 Restaurant Group (Homestead on the Roof, Roots Pizza, Utopian Tailgate) is requiring vaccines for workers. Kokonas adds that he hasn’t been notified of any workers who can’t take the vaccine due to a pre-existing condition. He’s worried about “ambiguous legal direction from local and federal governments.” With some exceptions - including workers with a pre-existing medical condition or some religious grounds (say, if a church leader objects to a vaccine and a worker is following their direction) - employers can mandate vaccinations. He tweets that he’s reluctant to follow make vaccines mandatory. “I’m sure that we will continue to iterate as restaurants begin to fully reopen, hopefully.” Kokonas tells Eater Chicago that the company considered “many avenues” before establishing their policy: “The CDC and federal government have encouraged businesses to be proactive in setting their own guidelines and practices and this one way of doing that,” he writes. Fully vaccinated workers can elect to wear lapel pins to show customers proof of inoculation. 1 /g4tIU7RO6Y- nick kokonas May 22, 2021įor restaurants within the Alinea Group, home of Chicago’s top fine dining restaurant (according to Michelin), co-owner Nick Kokonas says fully vaccinated workers no longer have to wear masks. Those employees will not be required to wear masks per CDC guidelines, and guests can identify them via the pin. While not requiring vaccinations, The Alinea Group will provide vaccination lapel pins to any employees who voluntarily choose to show proof of vax. This is in step with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest guidance. They’re using an honor system to determine who’s vaccinated and who’s not. A hand-written sign on the door spells the policy out. Others, such as Ella’s BBQ - a counter-service restaurant in Lincoln Park - have made masks optional for fully vaccinated customers and workers. The decision to keep dining rooms closed for some restaurants can also be linked to labor concerns with owners struggling to hire workers. Beyond requiring restaurants and bars to post signage that explains if masks are mandatory for customers, city and state officials haven’t provided direction when it comes to vaccine verification.įor some restaurants - including Andies Restaurant, a full-service Middle Eastern spot in Andersonville - nothing has changed as owners continue to keep the dining room closed and rely on outdoor dining with masks required for those picking up food or entering to use the rest rooms. While flexibility has advantages, it also brings anxieties. As Chicago restaurants enter a new era where owners can determine if masks are optional for fully vaccinated customers and staff, new policies are emerging.
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