PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Most of the remaining coronavirus-related restrictions in Philadelphia will be lifted sooner than expected.
City officials announced Friday they will drop almost all restrictions on Wednesday, June 2, rather than the initial date of June 11.
New COVID-19 cases have been falling rapidly as more people get vaccinated. They are at their lowest level since September 2020, so health officials decided they could dispense with density limits, capacity protocols and distance rules a week sooner.
According to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, nearly 200 people are currently being treated for COVID-19 in Philadelphia hospitals. More than 30 are on ventilators.
In the past, downward trends were followed by surges, but the difference now is the vaccine.
“We think that by [June] 2 we should be at or below 100 cases a day,” said acting Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole.
After June 2, the indoor mask mandate and the 11 p.m. last call for restaurants will stay in effect likely until June 11.
Bettigole said the health department is working to get more Philadelphians vaccinated, but she expects new cases to continue falling.
“We want people to celebrate the good parts of life that we get back by getting vaccinated,” she said in a statement.
In response to the city moving the lifting of restrictions to June 2, Philly sports arenas are altering their schedules as well. The Phillies will allow 100% capacity at Citizens Bank Park starting June 4. Tailgating will be allowed in specific lots.
Sixers fans can watch the playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center at full capacity starting June 2.