PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia officials are offering restaurants a way to increase their indoor dining capacity to 50%, but it’s going to require heavy-duty ventilation.
As new COVID-19 cases continue to fall, the city is ever so slightly easing off restrictions, with the opportunity for restaurants to accommodate more indoor diners if they certify that their HVAC systems circulate at least 20% outside air and have a filter rated at least 11 out of 20.
Either that, or window fans that exchange air every four minutes.
Health Commissioner Tom Farley said it’s a novel approach and may need to be adjusted.
“We’re breaking new ground. We’re not aware of other locations that have done this but we do think this is a way to have restaurants get back on their feet and serve customers while doing it safely; trying to come up with that balance,” he explained.
Restaurant owners must fill out a self-certification form, saying that they meet these new requirements. Those who do not go through this process can still have indoor dining at 25% of maximum capacity.
Nicole Marquis, head of the Save Philly Restaurants Coalition, spoke to NBC 10 about these changes.
"Many restaurants are not going to be able to achieve those standards, especially before Valentine's Day," Marquis said.
She says some of the modifications may be too expensive for some businesses.
"This could cost thousands of dollars and also it could take a very long time to make happen," she said.
The application is now online and Farley promises to respond in 72 hours so restaurants can expand beginning Friday.
The city provided $12 million in grants to gyms and restaurants to help them pay for expenses such as rent and payroll, but they can also use that money to improve ventilation. Each business was eligible for up to $15,000. The application window for that grant program closed on Tuesday.
Farley said if cases continue to fall, the city will lift other restrictions. For now, the ban on indoor gatherings stays.
And he continues to caution the vaccine won’t be widespread enough to end the winter wave, but he did have some good news on the vaccine.
The city is getting additional doses of Moderna, and he expects the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to ship by March 1.
Six mass clinics a week are planned beginning next week, and Rite Aid pharmacies are getting an extra supply, but he said the young and healthy should still be prepared to wait.
But you can sign up to get in line.