In order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 cases, Philadelphia health officials are recommending city residents stay away from beaches over the 4th of July holiday.
Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said that at the moment beaches are considered a hot spot. “We’re recommending people to stay away from that right now, that appears to be the hot spot, these beach places.”
Dr. Farley said. “I know people want to go down there over the 4th of July weekend and I appreciate that but that appears to be the most dangerous place to be right now. So we recommend people stay here in Philly.”
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While Farley admits that the place may be a special attraction during the celebration of the holiday, he recommends Philadelphians avoiding a place that can be exceptionally dangerous in the current circumstances of the pandemic.“I know people want to go down there over the 4th of July weekend and I appreciate that but that appears to be the most dangerous place to be right now. So we recommend people stay here in Philly,” he said.
Philadelphia has also scaled back its green phase of reopening that was scheduled for this Friday. The city announced the changes Tuesday afternoon.
Under the new restricted green phase guidelines, indoor dining and gym facilities will remain closed until at least Aug. 1, but other low-risk activities will be allowed to reopen Friday, July 3. Those activities include museums, libraries, indoor shopping malls and outdoor gatherings up to 50 people.
Health officials will be monitoring the coronavirus behavior in the city on a week-to-week basis. The reopening development will depend whether the case rate is rising or falling. Authorities will also consider if people are following requirements issued by officials, including wearing masks.
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