Philly Easing Coronavirus Restrictions Early

PHILADELPHIA — Health officials are planning to end most coronavirus restrictions in Philadelphia early.

Officials Friday said the city will be lifting nearly all its restrictions next week.

Starting Wednesday, June 2, density limits, maximum capacity limits, distancing rules, and more will be lifted.

"As more Philadelphians get vaccinated, COVID cases in Philadelphia have continued to drop, and positivity and hospitalizations remain low," said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole. "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."

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.

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.