All Philly Coronavirus Restrictions To Be Lifted June 11

PHILADELPHIA — All coronavirus restrictions, save for the mask mandate, will be lifted in Philadelphia next month, officials said Tuesday.

Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley and Mayor Jim Kenney said on June 11, all "Safer at Home" restrictions will be lifted.

All limits on activities, events, and settings will be lifted that day.

When asked why the city is not following Gov. Tom Wolf's plan of lifting restrictions on Memorial Day, Farley said the June 11 date gives the city more time to allow for increased vaccinations and decreased case counts.

Farley urged people to avoid crowded indoor settings unless they are vaccinated and wear masks when indoors. Farley said the mask mandate may be lifted in the fall.

Health officials will be focusing more on severe illnesses and deaths and less on case counts and positivity rates moving forward. Farley said if severe infections and deaths increase that more steps could be taken to prevent further infections, but details on potential steps were not provided.

"Today’s announcement has been long awaited in our 14-month battle against COVID-19. This moment is possible because of the immense sacrifices that Philadelphians of all ages made over the last year," Kenney said. "As we look forward to our recovery, which will be strong, we have to stay mindful that the pandemic is not over. We are not yet declaring victory because cases and hospitalizations can rise again at any point if we’re not diligent. I urge everyone to be smart, to continue wearing masks around others, and most importantly, to join the more than half a million fellow Philadelphians who already got their vaccine."

"I know the shutdown has been extremely difficult for everyone," Farley said. "People lost their jobs, their businesses, children lost out on education. Everyone has suffered from being separated from others."

While Farley said some people questioned whether shutdowns and restrictions were worth their impacts, he said be believes taking those measures saved thousands of lives and prevents hospitals from crises similar to what is happening in India.

"I'm sorry we all had to go through this, but from the bottom of my heart thank you for doing your part in saving the lives of others," Farley said to the city's resident.

But before the complete lifting of restrictions, the city is easing restrictions Friday, May 21.

Starting May 21, the distance between chair backs at restaurants will be reduced from 6 feet to 3 feet and the requirement for alcohol to be served with food will end.

Capacities at restaurants will remain at 50 percent, and at 75 percent for establishments meeting the city's enhanced ventilation standards.

Casinos have the same restrictions as restaurants: they can have 50 percent of their maximum capacity, and those that meet the same ventilation standards can increase capacity to 75 percent. Alcohol can be served at gaming machines.

Patrons must wear masks when not seated, drinking, or eating.

Offices, retails stores, museums, libraries, bowling alleys, will be permitted to operate with no density limits, as well, however masks will be required. Farley said masks are not required if just one person is in a room alone.

As for gyms and indoors pools, they can accommodate 75 percent capacity or 15 people per 1,000 square feet. Exercise class sizes will be limited to 25 people.

Movie theaters will be able to have 50 percent capacities and must enforce a minimum of three feet of distance between persons of different groups. This also applies to indoor gatherings.

Outdoor gatherings will be allowed to operate at 50 percent of the occupancy limit if they have fixed seats. Sites without seating can have a maximum of 33 persons per 1,000 square feet are allowed. And as with indoor events, a minimum of three feet of distance between persons of different groups must be enforced.

Outdoor catered events will have a 50 percent limit, but will not have a cap on the number of persons attending.

Indoor catered events can operate at 25 percent capacity May 21, but food must only be served at tables. A maximum of 250 persons, including staff, will be allowed if there will be no music, dancing, or alcohol; and a maximum of 150 persons, including staff, will be allowed if there will be music, dancing, or alcohol.