UPDATED: 2:44 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia officials plan to announce new COVID-19 restrictions Monday after days of surging case counts across the country. The news, however, is worrying Philly business owners.
The city reported 1,158 new positive cases on Friday, and an additional 680 on Saturday, while Pennsylvania declared 5,551 cases on Saturday. City officials hope the new restrictions will prevent hospitals from getting overwhelmed and curb the rise in cases.
"The first thing people should do is fear the virus," said Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley. "The case counts are higher than we ever had by a long shot."
Farley urged people to start thinking and acting like they did in March and April.
"That's the sort of thing you oughta be doing right now so you don't get the infection and so you don’t pass the infection onto others," he said.
But new coronavirus restrictions could mean less hours for small businesses, restaurants, and more.
Erika Tonelli-Bonnett, owner of Center City Soft Pretzel company in South Philadelphia, told NBC 10 her business is down 80% this year, forcing her turn to fundraising efforts.
"We're proud people and in almost 40 years we never asked for help from anyone, and to do this, it was a lot," she shared. "It took a lot to hit that button and say please help, because we need it."
The prospect of reverting back to where things where in the spring, she said, is worrisome.
"If they were talking about citywide closures again, I think many of your mom and pop shops and our small businesses, that will be it for them," said Tonnelli-Bonnett.
In the meantime, Farley asked people to wear masks, even during small gatherings. He also says extended family should stay home for Thanksgiving dinner.
City officials have not said what the new restrictions will entail, but Farley said the city will not go into total lockdown.