Philadelphia Easing Restaurant, Event Restrictions Next Month

PHILADELPHIA — With decreasing coronavirus cases and increasing vaccinations in Philadelphia, officials Tuesday said some coronavirus-mitigation efforts will be loosened next month.

During a news conference Tuesday, Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said the city will ease restaurant and gathering restrictions on May 7.

According to Farley, as of May 7 restaurants increase their indoor capacity to 50 percent.

Restaurants that meet the city's enhanced ventilation standards can increase indoor capacity to 75 percent, as well.

However, all restaurants must keep at least 6 feet of space from chair back to chair back.

Additionally, table size limits are increasing for indoor dining, as tables will be able to accommodate six people starting May 7. Farley also said diners no longer need to be from the same household to sit at tables together.

Restaurants with bars were allowed to offer limited bar seating as of Friday last week. Groups of four or fewer from the same household must be kept at least six feet apart and there must be a barrier between patrons and the bartender.

Outdoor dining table sizes will increase to 10 people, which matches the state's guidance.

As for events, Farley said indoor catered social events, such as weddings, will be permitted starting May 7.

These events will have limitations of up to 75 people or 25 percent capacity, which includes event staff. However, if cases continue to decrease, the limit will be 150 people starting May 21.

Farley urged anyone participating in indoor catered events be vaccinated before attending and also to wear masks when not eating or drinking. He also encouraged those planning weddings to ask guests to be vaccinated prior to wedding events.

And despite allowing indoor events to resume, Farley said such events should be held outdoors if possible out of caution.

Outdoor event capacities will increase to 50 percent on May 7, too.

Six hundred nine new cases Tuesday, Farley said. The week of April 18 to April 24 saw an average of 458 new cases per day and 5.9 percent positivity rate, according to Farley.

Those numbers are down from the previous week, which saw an average of 616 new daily cases and a 6.6 percent positivity rate.

Coronavirus hospitalizations in Philadelphia are declining, as well. As of Tuesday, Philadelphia hospitals were treating 481 with the virus, which is down from 551 patients this time last week.

Eleven new deaths were reported Tuesday, bringing the total death toll in the city to 3,452. Farley said the week of March 21 saw a low of 23 deaths, but that weekly figure jumped to 56 the week of April 11.

As of Tuesday, 741,048 people have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 493,385 people have been fully vaccinated in the city.

According to the CDC, 34 percent of people older than 18 in Philadelphia have been fully vaccinated and 55 percent of people older than 65 have been fully vaccinated in Philadelphia.