Philadelphia changes some restrictions on restaurants and gatherings

Due to an important decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia and the region, the Health Department announced a series of changes to the City’s Safer-at-Home restrictions. The relaxed measures include the lifting of restrictions on restaurants.

According to the Philadelphia Health Department official website, beginning Friday, May 7, 2021, the following changes will go into effect:

Philadelphia Indoor Dining

• Capacity will be increased from 25% to 50% if restaurants meet enhanced ventilation standards, 50%, or 75% if restaurants meet enhanced ventilation standards.
• Maximum table size will be increased from four to six, and there is no longer a requirement that everyone at the table be from the same household.

You can read: Tom Wolf: Possible Full reopening 2 weeks after 65-70% of people vaccinated

Philadelphia Outdoor Dining

• The city will increase the maximum table size to 10, which is the state limit.

Changes for indoor catered events

• Important to remember that events like indoor weddings are at the highest risk.
• For the first time in more than a year, the City will allow indoor catered social events up to 25% occupancy of space with a cap of 75 people total.
• If case rates continue to fall, the City may increase that cap to 150 beginning May 21.

Other gatherings and events

Indoor gatherings and events will increase their maximum capacity to 25% of the average capacity. Outdoor groups and events will increase the total capacity to 50%.

However, in, the Health Commissioner said that these changes involve the recommendation that anyone participating in these higher-risk and higher-density events should be vaccinated first.

The announcement of changes to the City’s Safer-at-Home restrictions was made while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Tuesday at a White House briefing that fully vaccinated people do not require to wear a mask outside, except in crowded settings. Health officials stated that people protected by the vaccine can unmask while walking, running, hiking or biking outdoors alone or with members of their household.