Philly Drops Most Coronavirus Restrictions, Mask Mandate Remains

PHILADELPHIA — Most of Philadelphia's coronavirus mitigation restrictions have been lifted as of Wednesday.

Health officials last week announced their plan to end most coronavirus restrictions in Philadelphia early.

The city will lifted nearly all its restrictions Wednesday.

As of Wednesday, density limits, maximum capacity limits, distancing rules, and more have been lifted.

However, the indoor mask mandate and 11 p.m. last call for dining orders will remain in effect until the Health Department reviews the state of the pandemic. Those restrictions may be dropped Friday, June 11.

"As more Philadelphians get vaccinated, COVID cases in Philadelphia have continued to drop, and positivity and hospitalizations remain low," Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole said last week. "These are encouraging signs that vaccination is truly turning the tide in Philadelphia. We still have work to do to reach all Philadelphians, but we also want people to celebrate the good parts of life that we get back by getting vaccinated."

Officials made the decision due to the city seeing the lowest number of new cases since late September 2020 — the lowest since the start of the pandemic — and percent positive rates below 3 percent.