Not anymore! Philly ends mask mandate usage

As expected, Philadelphia’s indoor mask mandate, as well as its leveled response structure to the COVID-19 pandemic, is coming to an end.

The city’s fresh indoor mask mandate was scrapped again on Friday, April 22, with health officials instead opting for a “strong recommendation” on mask-wearing. The self-imposed levels used to determine what pandemic limitations the city would implement in response to mounting cases and hospitalizations are also being terminated.

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“Due to a recent leveling-off of case counts and a decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the City, masks are strongly recommended, but are no longer required in public indoor settings, with the exception of healthcare and congregate settings,” Public Health Department said on their Twitter account. “The Health Department strongly recommends residents & visitors wear a mask in indoor public settings, and get vaccinated and/or boosted if you’re eligible. Thank you, Philly for stepping up once again and responding to this pandemic with solidarity and care for each other.”

The latest COVID-19 update provided by Health Department reveals 221 average new coronavirus cases per day and 71 hospitalizations.

April 22, 2022 COVID-19 update:

221 average new cases per day
280,852 Philadelphians diagnosed with COVID-19
5,026 Philadelphians have died from COVID-19
71 hospitalizations

For more information: https://t.co/TX1mK1eqcK pic.twitter.com/UKOHMHHRjO

— Philadelphia Public Health (@PHLPublicHealth) April 22, 2022

Philadelphia was the first and only major city of United States to reinstate its indoor mask mandate, but the measure only lasted four days.

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