Philly Mayor Apologizes After Being Seen Inside MD Restaurant

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is no stranger to criticism, and he's facing another round of it after being spotted inside a Maryland restaurant.

A photo of Kenney seated inside a Maryland restaurant was shared Sunday to social media by Marc Vetri, one of Philadelphia's most notable chefs and restaurateurs.

Vetri had harsh words for the mayor in his post.

"Glad you’re enjoying indoor dining with no social distancing or mask wearing in Maryland tonight while restaurants here in Philly close, suffer and fight for every nickel just to survive," he wrote on Instagram. "I guess all your press briefings and your narrative of unsafe indoor dining don’t apply to you."

Comments on Vetri's post called Kenney the "worst mayor in history" and said the photo was "hypocrisy at its best."

As of Monday morning, the post has nearly 5,000 likes and hundreds of comments.

Kenney took to twitter Monday to explain why he went to the establishment, which a representative said is owned by one of his friends, and apologize

"I felt the risk was low because the county I visited has had fewer than 800 COVID-19 cases, compared to over 33,000 cases in Philadelphia," he said. "I'm sorry if my decision hurt those who’ve worked to keep their businesses going under difficult circumstances. Looking forward to reopening indoor dining soon and visiting my favorite spots."

A statement from Kenney's office said the mayor has been following the guidance of Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley, who determined Philadelphia restaurants can offer indoor dining after Labor Day.

"Throughout the pandemic the Mayor has consistently deferred to the guidance of the Health Commissioner, who in this case felt strongly about waiting until Sept. 8 to resume indoor dining," the statement reads. "If elected officials at the federal level had similarly deferred to health experts over the past five months, this might not even be an issue by now. Of course we understand the frustrations of local restaurant owners who have been among the hardest hit by the pandemic."

In Maryland, restaurants can operate at 25 percent capacity.

Philadelphia restaurants are expected to offer indoor dining with restrictions on Sept. 8 as coronavirus statistics in the city trend downward. Indoor dining was suspended in the city back in mid March due to spikes in coronavirus cases.

While indoor dining is planned to resume Sept. 8, Health Commissioner Dr. Farley said should the city see spikes in coronavirus cases indoor dining could be suspended again.