This week the CDC issued new “interim public health recommendations” detailing a variety of situations in which individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can forgo wearing a mask, but urged the continued use of face coverings on public transportation and in crowded outdoor/indoor areas.
To continue to ensure the safety of our guests, docents, and staff the CAC requires all wear face coverings on all tours. We cannot predict when we might pass through a crowded outdoor area and support face coverings as a precaution. Chicago’s mask mandate is still in effect and the CDC states that people still need to follow guidelines set by businesses and workplaces. Additionally, the US Coast Guard continues its requirement that all boat based public tours have masked guests and staff.
We do not want docents to be placed in a position where they have to make decisions regarding whether guests can remove masks or not. Please do not ask guests about their vaccination status. Should a guest escalate or question our requirements on walking tours, please refer them to a manager on duty (Blake McFadden, Deb Rodak, or Emmelia Lamphere). Onboard the boat, should a guest escalate this position, please refer the guest to a deck hand.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me at cd***@ar**********.org