Do applicants from the US now need to go to the Chinese Consulate in person in the US to apply?

I am currently a teacher in China and I will be changing my place of work. I will be applying for a new Z visa and S1 visas for my family. I am a resident of Colorado. Do US citizens need to go to the Chicago Consulate in person to apply now? I heard this from a friend who is in the middle of the same process.