Chicago New Year’s Eve 2020: As COVID pandemic continues, Chicagoans urged to find safe ways to celebrate

CHICAGO (WLS) – New Year’s Eve celebrations have looked a little different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Chicago, there really wasn’t a way to celebrate the year that wasn’t – except by reveling in its end.

Like just about everything, party supply sales are down. Celebration kits for 50 people are always full on the shelves of Doolin’s Party Supply.

“Usually these days are our busiest days of the year and we usually do over 6,000 balloons. We’re going crazy, we don’t know which way it’s going,” said owner Nicholas Doolin. “We are living in a much darker time. We just can’t wait to end 2020.”

And with colder temperatures and no dining indoors, people rely on restaurants to warm things up on their patios.

At the Greek-inspired restaurant Avli, reservations are coming in quickly, as are take-out orders, with 60 already being processed for Thursday night.

Many restaurants are pushing their New Years promotions to help provide extra support during an already extremely difficult year.

“Everyone is trying, everyone is trying to be safe, to follow the rules and to have our job as much as possible,” said Dimitris Dib, chief executive of Avli.

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And Chicago officials are reminding people to celebrate safely.

The Ministry of Commerce and Consumer Protection even warns that it plans to enforce city rules on New Years Eve and on weekends, with not only citations, but shutting down businesses if necessary. .

In fact, a party of more than 150 people just closed on Saturday in the 5400 block of North Avenue, so officers will be on the lookout Thursday.

At Avli, they take full advantage of their large terrace which can accommodate 80 people. With a few places still available for the New Year, the chef is ready to serve as many people as he can safely.

“The property spent a lot of money buying heaters to make the patio feel like it’s inside,” Dib said.

Usually on New Years Eve, the city offers free rides with CTA, but Chicago officials have said that is not the case this year.

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In a statement, a CTA spokesperson said: “As we continue to fight the effects of an unprecedented global health crisis, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) encourages Chicagoans to follow the health guidelines put in place by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Illinois Department of Public. Health (HDDI), and celebrate the New Year responsibly from the comfort and safety of your own home this year. As such, no free ride will be offered on CTA buses or trains.

“This decision was made with the best interests of our riders and employees in mind, and is in line with what other transit agencies are doing this year in response to the pandemic, including those in the cities of Dallas. , Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Toronto and Vancouver. ”