Philly Lifting Outdoor Mask Mandate For Fully Vaccinated People

PHILADELPHIA — Masks will no longer be required for some outside in Philadelphia starting Friday, officials said Wednesday.

During a news conference Wednesday, acting health commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole said the outdoor mask mandate will be lifted Friday for those who have been fully vaccinated.

This applies to outdoor venues, including outdoor gatherings, outdoor professional and youth sports, outdoor restaurants, and outdoor performances.

Bettigole said to be considered fully vaccinated, the second doses of either vaccine must have been administered two weeks ago.

"While we're going to go ahead and relax outdoor mask guidance, since we know COVID is rarely transmitted outside, we're going to wait a bit longer to relax indoor mask rules," she said.

This announcement comes on the heels of officials last week saying all coronavirus restrictions will be lifted June 11, which includes not requiring masks for fully vaccinated people in indoor settings.

Should the city's coronavirus figures — such as hospitalizations and case rates — increase, the city will keep restrictions in place, however.

As of Wednesday, the city's 14-day average case count is 200 and the weekly positivity rate has been below 5 percent since May 2.

For now, 261 patients are being treated in Philadelphia hospitals for the coronavirus.

Forty-three coronavirus deaths were reported in the past week.