Chicago Issues Indoor Mask Mandate Ahead of AEW Rampage: The First Dance

Fans in attendance at Friday's AEW Rampage: The First Dance will be required to wear a facemask at the show after the city of Chicago declared a mandate requiring masks to be worn at indoor events.

Chicago officials announced on Tuesday, per the Chicago Tribune, that an indoor mask mandate will return to the city more than two months after most COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.

Chicago public health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said in a press conference that, starting Friday, anyone two-years-old or older will be required to wear a face mask in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccine status. 

The far more transmissible delta variant of coronavirus has driven a late summer surge in cases in Chicago, with more than 400 new daily cases being reported. 

All Elite Wrestling is set to host the 'First Dance' episode of Rampage in Chicago at the United Center on Friday 20 August, which will now be part of the mandated indoor mask policy.

The event has been heavily speculated to be the host of the long-awaited return to wrestling of CM Punk, who has reportedly signed with AEW - his first pro-wrestling deal since walking out on WWE in 2014.