PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – Business in Philadelphia is preparing for a major change Monday: the return of the indoor mask mandate.
While visitors enjoyed their Easter lunch, restaurants reinstalled masks.
“We definitely don’t want to stop, that’s why it’s so important for us to stick to our mandates,” said Kelsey Noffer, manager at White Dog Café at University City.
On Sunday, most people entered without a mask, but from Monday, visitors will have to disguise themselves as the city moves to Level 2: Mask Precautions according to its COVID-19 response guidelines.
Businesses and institutions can be left without masks if they require everyone on site to be fully vaccinated and check the status of the vaccine upon entry, according to city officials.
SEE ALSO: Philadelphia reinstates indoor mask mandate as COVID-19 cases increase
“It will just be a little safer for our guests, everything to protect our guests, we are on board,” Nofer said.
The city says the mandate is returning because COVID cases have increased by 50% in the last two weeks.
After making the announcement last Monday, the city gave businesses a week to prepare and put up the signs again. The policy applies to all indoor public spaces, such as schools, restaurants, businesses, museums, offices and government buildings.
SEE ALSO: Trial aims to overturn renewed mandate for indoor mask in Philadelphia
Those heading to the 76ers Game 2 playoff game against the Raptors will have to dress up at the Wells Fargo Center.
“I support him. I don’t think it’s an inconvenience, I feel it’s a small safety measure, I hope it will help, “said Julie Jacobs, who lives in Rittenhouse Square.
“I think it’s bad for business, especially the restaurants around, Rittenhouse Square, Old City, Queen Village restaurants, I mean, they’ve suffered enough,” said John Takax of Old City.
The mandate was met with some reaction. A group of petitioners has filed a lawsuit in the British Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania to overturn the mandate. The city will not comment specifically on this, but said it has the legal authority to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
When will the term of the mask end?
The city says two of the three data points must be met to end the mask’s mandate: new cases must be less than 100 a day, cases have increased by less than 50% in the previous 10 days, and hospitalizations are under 50.
As of April 11, Philadelphia registered an average of 142 new cases of COVID-19 each day.
“This number is more than 50% higher than the average of 84 new cases reported ten days ago, on April 1. This means that not only are the cases increasing, but they are also increasing faster than the health department considers safe, “the Ministry of Public Health said.
“Hospitalizations have remained stable at about 50 in the last two weeks.”
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