PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia officials announced new public health requirements for bars, restaurants and other businesses, as COVID-19 infections head in the wrong direction and more people are heading indoors during the cold winter months.
Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole and Mayor Jim Kenney on Monday announced the new rules. Starting Jan. 3, workers and customers entering bars, restaurants and really anywhere indoors that sells food, must show proof of full vaccination.
This mandate applies to the following settings that serve food, and where people have to remove their masks to eat and drink:
• Indoor restaurant spaces
• Cafes within larger spaces (like museums)
• Bars
• Sports venues that serve food or drink for onsite consumption
• Movie theaters
• Bowling alleys
• Other entertainment venues that serve food or drink for consumption on site.
• Conventions (if food is being served)
• Catering halls
• Casinos where food and drink is allowed on the floor
Food court seating areas are supposed to be cordoned off and have someone checking vaccine status.
The mandate does not apply to places such as hospitals, schools and day care facilities.
There will be a phase-in for the first two weeks, when people will have the option to show a negative COVID-19 test instead. But starting on Jan. 17, everyone must be fully vaccinated before they can go indoors to eat or drink.
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There are exemptions, of course, for children under 5 who can't get vaccinated, and people with valid religious or medical exemptions. But even they will need to show a negative test to get endorsed.
The announcement comes as new case numbers continue to rise in the city, even as more than 95% of adults have at least one vaccine shot.
The city had finally started to contain the delta variant outbreak when Thanksgiving gatherings sent new cases back up to around 460 each day. One omicron case has been confirmed in the city, but more are assumed to be around. And health officials are anticipating another surge this winter.
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A statement from Pennsylvania’s Restaurant and Lodging Association says it supports prevention measures but reminds the city the industry is still recovering and hopes any new restrictions will come with help and collaboration.
Other American cities, including New York, San Francisco and New Orleans, have required proof of vaccination since August.