PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise in Philadelphia, the health department is urging everyone to do their part in stopping the spread of the virus.
The city’s most recent mask mandate took effect on Aug. 12, but there are still a lot of questions about when to mask or not.
Related
Here’s the breakdown: Per the mandate, everybody must wear a mask, regardless of their vaccination status, if they are in a public indoor space that does not have a vaccine requirement.
“If everybody in the place is required to be vaccinated and that’s their policy, people can be unmasked there as long as it’s OK with the business,” explained acting Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole.
For seated outdoor events of more than 1,000 people, you do not have to wear a face covering. For outdoor unseated events of 1,000 or more, you need to mask up.
Essential businesses, like grocery stores, pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and urgent care centers, must require masks regardless of vaccination status.
“A concert that just has everybody packed together right around the stage — the mosh pit kind of thing — their people do need to be masked,” she said. “If they are in seated areas — they may be standing up in their seat, but they are not packed in that same way that they might be at a concert — that might change depending on what happens with the pandemic.”
Related
It’s also crucial that people get vaccinated if they haven’t already. Bettigole said there are more than a dozen long-term care facilities in Philadelphia that have fewer than 50% of their staff vaccinated.
The vaccine is currently available to everyone 12 and older.
All city employees must be vaccinated, as well as all city health care workers and college students and staff.
Bettigole emphasized that it is just as important to get tested if you show symptoms of COVID-19.
“Many people have mild symptoms like a runny nose, a sore throat and a headache. Sometimes that may be nothing, but that could be a sign that you have COVID and you could pass it to someone you love,” she said. “If you do test positive or you have been exposed to COVID, please call our call center to help slow the spread of infection.”
That number is 215-685-5488, and trained staff can walk you through the next steps either for isolation or quarantine.