ARDMORE, Pa.(KYW Newsradio) — Pennsylvania’s mask mandate was lifted on Monday. It was the last major COVID-19 restriction that was still in effect in the region.
The universal mask mandate expired at 12:01 a.m. after being in place for 439 days.
Even with the change, and COVID-19 case counts way down, about 70% of the people getting their coffee Monday morning at Suburban Square in Ardmore kept their masks on.
Andi from Narberth says she’s sticking with it for now — "especially if it’s crowded. If people are in the store and working and wearing a mask, I think it’s probably a good thing to do."
Andi, who declined to give her last name, said keeping herself and others safe is still on the top of her mind.
"Just remembering how the last 18 months have been or so. So, I think people have to be vigilant especially with the variant going on. I think we have to be very careful."
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It is still helpful to keep a mask handy, because businesses can require employees and customers to wear masks if they choose to. And If you’re taking SEPTA or getting a flight out of town, masks are also still required based on CDC guidance.
"Businesses, organizations, health care providers and other entities maintain the option of requiring employees, guests or customers to wear a mask, regardless of their vaccination status," acting Health Secretary Allison Beam said in a statement.
Still, the end of the last major restriction signifies how far the commonwealth, and the country, has come to control the spread of the coronavirus.
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COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths have dropped dramatically as more people have gotten vaccinated. Officials, however, are still trying to reach those who are hesitant to get the shots. The mask mandate would have been lifted earlier if 70% of the adult population in the commonwealth were fully vaccinated. That number is nearly 60% according to the latest data from the Health Department.
Health officials are concerned about the spread of the Delta variant and say most of the U.S. COVID-19 deaths now are among those who are unvaccinated.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, last Tuesday, called such deaths "entirely preventable" and "particularly tragic."