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Chicago restaurant eyes 'vaccinated' and 'unvaccinated' dining sections as restrictions lift

May 24, 2021
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4 min read
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Chicago restaurant eyes 'vaccinated' and 'unvaccinated' dining sections as restrictions lift
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Chicago is allowing bars, restaurants and even dance floors to reopen at normal capacity with no restrictions like mask-wearing or social distancing, as long as everyone present is vaccinated. To make it easier for everyone to continue to dine out, one restaurant has created separate sections for those who are inoculated and those who aren't.

Starting this weekend, Moe's Cantina will require proof of vaccination in exchange for a pink wristband that will allow access to the area for patrons who have received their shots. Employees working in those areas must be vaccinated, too.

Moe's Cantina River North owner Sam Sanchez shows what the vaccinated section will look like. Restaurant patrons can dine on the side of the establishment closest to the bar if they show proof that they've had their shots. (Screenshot courtesy of CBS Chicago)

Under the city's new guidelines, customers who have had their shots will be permitted at the bar and at tables on one side of the restaurant, while anyone who hasn't been vaccinated -- or who doesn't provide proof -- can sit in a special section where masks are required (unless seated) and dividers create partitions between tables.

"That's the direction we want to go to get back to normal," Moe's owner and Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Sanchez told CBS Chicago.

Throughout the pandemic, the city has held nearly 50 webinars reaching nearly 5,000 attendees in an effort to keep the hospitality sector informed of the latest operating guidelines.

"...for the first time we are providing recommendations instead of formal requirements as it relates to mask wearing," Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection said in a statement.

CDC Vaccine card and masks
Many states are relaxing mask mandates for people who are fully vaccinated. (Photo by Michael Siluk/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

As of May 13, (CDC) says vaccinated people can go without masks in most indoor settings. Across the country, states are looking for ways to operate in a less restrictive way, which increasingly involves the relaxation of mandatory mask-wearing policies in public places.

According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), 11 states never had mask mandates in the first place; 18 of the states that did have them have fully lifted them per federal, state and local guidelines.

Some restaurants, like this one in Dallas, don't require masks. (Photos by Scott Mayerowitz/The Points Guy)

Texas, for example, removed its mask mandate in March, leaving decisions about masks up to individual restaurants. (Over the weekend, TPG Executive Editor Scott Mayerowitz shared photos, above, from a crowded restaurant in Dallas, no masks required.)

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Florida, notorious for its lax COVID-19 rules, never had an official statewide mask mandate. Some counties opted to impose them, but all local requirements were wiped out by an executive order from Governor Ron DeSantis on May 3. Meanwhile, on May 19, New York completely got rid of its mask mandates for anyone who's vaccinated.

Coming out of more than a year of isolation, people are excited to leave home, whether it's to travel or simply to enjoy dining out. That, combined with increased vaccination rates and the relaxation of precautions that kept some people away, has led to increased capacity all around -- at restaurants, theme parks, shopping malls and even on flights.

Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.