With positive cases of COVID-19 skyrocketing nationwide, local businesses and governments are making operational changes — with further announcements possibly on the way.
Over the last 14 days, Glencoe, Wilmette and Winnetka have seen a rise in COVID-19 cases by at least 200%, according to the Cook County Department of Health.
Meanwhile, the spike in cases has started to impact operations. Kenilworth Village Hall became temporarily unavailable for walk in service, according to Village Manager Patrick Brennan.
“With the recent upswing in the positivity rates, limiting in-person contact to the extent possible seemed to be a prudent step,” Brennan explained in an email to Pioneer Press. “Also, I only have two staff working our front counter, so if both are out at the same time due to illness, it then creates a situation where it is more difficult to maintain our resident service levels.”
Brennan said a table has been setup in the Village Hall vestibule where residents can place permit applications or any other business that can not be done online.
Brennan said he would like to resume in-person transactions in the first or second week of 2022, awaiting news of the COVID-19 transmission rates following the holidays. He estimated that about 50 to 70 residents enter Village Hall per day for counter visits, but that number varies.
Officials in neighboring communities have not indicated whether similar changes are coming, but say precautions are being taken.
“We are doubling down on our internal protocols for all of our staff,” Glencoe Village Manager Phil Kiraly said.
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Kiraly said he, himself, tested positive Dec. 21 and was at home with what he described as “mild symptoms” and anticipated being back in the office Jan. 3.
Kiraly said he has been “boosted” and was not sure how he contracted the virus.
“It seems to be so prevalent that it is hard to pinpoint where someone might have picked it up,” he said.
Separate of village operations, representatives of the Winnetka, Wilmette and Glencoe park districts all anticipate announcementsregarding changes to mitigation policies.
The sharp increase in Cook County coronavirus cases has led to a vaccination mandate for most people entering the county’s restaurants, bars and gyms starting Jan. 3.
Poppy’s Social Club, a recently-opened restaurant in downtown Glencoe, is taking another approach, as it will shut down for an undetermined length of time, according to restaurant owner, Peter Kadens.
“It wasn’t a hard decision at all,” Kadens posted on the LinkedIn social media site. “It just felt right. Putting our team members and guests at risk with the present health hazards simply didn’t make any sense for us.”
In a subsequent email, Kadens said restaurant officials are looking at the trends and data in combination with ensuring employees can get a booster shot. He estimated the restaurant would reopen sometime in mid-January.
“We are focused on reopening when we believe we can do so very safely for both our employees and our guests,” he wrote.
Whether other area businesses will take a similar step is unclear. However, the executive directors at chambers of commerce which serve Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe and other nearby areas, said they were not familiar with any businesses to change their operation plans.
At Glencoe’s Writers Theatre, which reopened to live audiences earlier this month, Executive Director Kate Lipuma said changes could be coming if necessary.
“Writers Theatre continues to require staff, artists and attendees of the theater to be vaccinated and wear masks at all times,” Lipuma said in a statement. “Our actors and company members are also getting tested weekly. We will continue to take the precautions necessary to keep the actors, staff and audience members as safe as possible but can and will pivot accordingly and appropriately if need be.”
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelancer.