CHICAGO Mayor Lori Lightfoot warned restaurants, bars and other spots popular among younger Chicagoans to protect patrons from coronavirus or else they risk a crackdown.

The city has seen a rise in cases of COVID-19 among people ages 18-29, which has been concerning, Lightfoot said during a Monday press conference. Officials have said the uptick is due to to a number of reasons, including the fact young people are gathering in groups and at businesses without social distancing or face coverings.

Because of that, the city is looking at where these folks congregate, Lightfoot said.

Thats why were having a lot of conversations with bars, restaurants, other places of entertainment, Lightfoot said. And if we dont see progress, were gonna take some specific steps.

But my hope, always, is to educate people into compliance. We need to make sure that we are continuing to be diligent.

RELATED: Young Adults Now Make Up Most Of Chicagos New Coronavirus Cases, Citys Health Chief Says

Lightfoot said the city is not yet at the level of shutting down such businesses but they are pushing restaurants, bars, gyms and other places where young people gather to follow the citys rules to prevent the spread of coronavirus and emphasize that patrons should take public health rules seriously.

Im not gonna take anything off the table. I dont think were at that point [of closing again] just yet, but I am deeply concerned because we are starting to see this uptick , Lightfoot said. The case rate, the daily accumulation of cases, is something Im definitely concerned about.

And were not gonna hesitate to take the steps that are necessary if we continue to see a rise in that number.

While people age 19-29 are now making up most of Chicagos new coronavirus cases, people 30-39 have also been seeing more coronavirus cases, Lightfoot said.

The uptick among young people has been seen throughout the city, but its been particularly prominent in the Lincoln Park and New City community areas, Dr. Allison Arwady, head of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said Friday.

Arwady and Lightfoot said the rise has possibly come because younger people feel invincible and arent taken precautions like wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing.

Theres been a fair bit of spread in informal settings, like people gathering for house parties or going to businesses where requirements like social distancing arent well-enforced, Arwady said.

But young people still face risks from coronavirus, Lightfoot said.

If youre young, its still coming for you, Lightfoot said

And Arwady said the city is worried young people could transmit the virus to older Chicagoans, who are at higher risk of severe complications or death from coronavirus.

At the start of July, Lightfoot vowed tocrack down on bars and other businesses that arent following rulesfor keeping people safe amid the pandemic. That came after Block Club reported on bars reopening in Wrigleyville, where large crowds of young peopledrank and gathered on the sidewalks and at some establishments without wearing masks or practicing social distancing.

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City Will Crack Down On Bars, Gyms If Rise In Coronavirus Cases Among Young Chicagoans Continues, Lightfoot Says - Block Club Chicago