After seeing a continuous rise in COVID-19 cases, Chicago is reimplementing their indoor mask policy regardless of vaccination status for ages 3 and up starting on Friday. It will apply to gyms, stores, common areas of apartment buildings and in restaurants, though people will be allowed to remove face coverings while eating and drinking. Masks are already required in schools under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s statewide order.

Hospitalization rates remain much lower than they were at their peak in 2020, but with a constant increase in cases, it is crucial that we mask up now to curve the virus as we head into the holiday season.