Philadelphia to Require Masks Again in Public Indoor Spaces

April 12, 2022

Citing a rise in COVID-19 instances due to the Omicron subvariant, town of Philadelphia reinstated its indoor face masks mandate on Monday.

The metropolis was averaging 142 new COVID instances per day on Monday, in comparison with 84 new instances on April 1, town authorities stated in a information launch. Hospitalizations have remained regular, with about 50 folks per day hospitalized with COVID.

“If we fail to act now, knowing that every previous wave of infections has been followed by a wave of hospitalizations, and then a wave of deaths, it will be too late for many of our residents,” stated Cheryl Bettigole, MD, town well being commissioner, in keeping with The Associated Press. “This is our chance to get ahead of the pandemic, to put our masks on until we have more information about the severity of this new variant.”

Philadelphia turns into the primary large metropolis to revive a masks mandate, the Associated Press stated. Philadelphia dropped its masks mandate March 2 as most large cities relaxed restrictions as a result of instances have been dropping. While case counts haven’t reached the numbers of a number of months in the past, they’re nonetheless rising sharply.

The metropolis would require masks in all public indoor areas, together with faculties, companies, eating places, places of work, and authorities buildings, in keeping with town information launch. Businesses and establishments can drop the masks requirement if everyone on the premises is absolutely vaccinated and vaccine standing is checked upon entry. Enforcement will start April 18.

The Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association complained that the reimposed rule will harm restaurant staff.

“This announcement is a major blow to thousands of small businesses and other operators in the city who were hoping this spring would be the start of recovery,” Ben Fileccia, senior director of operations on the affiliation, stated on Twitter. “While the rest of the Commonwealth has moved forward navigating life with COVID, Philadelphia has stepped back by imposing another mandate and expecting it to be enforced by businesses and their employees.”In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams stated Monday at a information convention that he would take heed to his crew of medical docs for recommendation on whether or not to carry again any COVID restrictions, the Associated Press stated.