Candis R. McLean
Over the last week, Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney and Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf released new directives and restrictions in the city and state. As cases of coronavirus continue to surge in the city, these new limitations seek to stop the spread of the virus.
As of Friday, a new mask mandate and COVID-19 travel restrictions went into effect in the state of Pennsylvania. Travelers from out-out-of-state will now be required to test negative for COVD-19 before entering into PA. Masks are now required to be worn everywhere.
In the City of Brotherly Love, as of Friday, November 20, the “Safer at Home” protocols have been put into place. There are new restrictions on gatherings and things like indoor dining have been prohibited. Museums, libraries, gyms, bowling alleys, and other businesses are also closed.
Highlights of “Safer at Home”:
Restaurants:
- Indoor dining prohibited
- Outdoor dining allowed, household members only
- Four people at a table
- Takeout and delivery can continue
Indoor Gatherings:
- Prohibited indoors at any size (both public and private events)
Outdoor Gatherings:
- Limited at 10% occupancy or 10 persons per 1,000 square feet
- Large spaces capped at no more than 2,000 people
- No fans at football games
- A mask must be worn at all times
- No food or beverages can be served at outdoor gatherings
This week, Health Secretary Rachel Levine ordered that on-premises alcohol sales at bars and restaurants will be shut down at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving eve. The new order set expires at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. To-go cocktails will still be available for purchase.
Governor Wolf addressed Pennsylvanians on Monday, stating, “We are in a very dangerous situation. We’ll be stepping up enforcement of all public health orders. The biggest day for drinking is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I don’t like addressing that any more than anyone else does, but it’s a fact,” Wolf said. “When people get together in that situation it leads to an increase in the exchange of the fluids that leads to increased infection.”
The new “Safer at Home” restrictions are in place through January 1, 2021. An extension of these restrictions and/or the implementation of additional restrictions is possible in the future.
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
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