Note: Due to the changing nature of the pandemic and the City’s response, several of the figures reported in the twice weekly press release no longer adequately described the goals of the response or the information that was most relevant to the press and public. The City may modify this format in the future if these changes do not adequately satisfy the needs of the situation at that time.

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today reported an additional 8,703 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Philadelphia. This brings the total number of fully vaccinated Philadelphians to at least 656,017, and the number of Philadelphians with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine to at least 844,214. Currently, 52.8 percent of Philadelphia adults are fully vaccinated, and 68 percent of Philadelphia adults have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

The Department of Public Health reports 113 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 19 on ventilators.

In the last two weeks, one percent of COVID-19 tests in Philadelphia have come back positive. Thus far during the pandemic, 144,457 Philadelphians have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and 3,700 have succumbed to the virus. Philadelphia is averaging 58 new cases of COVID-19 per day over the last two weeks. This is the lowest number of new COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.

City Lifts Final Remaining COVID-19 Restrictions: Starting, tomorrow, Friday, June 11 at 12:01 a.m., the City of Philadelphia will end the last two COVID-19 restrictions: the indoor mask mandate and the 11 p.m. last call for restaurants. People who got their final dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least two weeks ago are considered fully vaccinated, and the Health Department no longer requires that they wear masks indoors or outdoors in most settings. More information can be found in this release.

Due to ongoing risk, Philadelphia will still require that masks be worn indoors in select settings, including but not limited to:

  • Healthcare institutions including temporary community healthcare events such as vaccine clinics and blood drives.
  • Congregate facilities such as prisons, shelters, and adult day programs.
  • Public transportation including planes, trains, buses, taxis, and rideshare vehicles.
  • Indoor schools, camps and early childhood education.

Clarification to Lifting of Indoor Mask Mandate in Philadelphia: On Friday, June 11, the City will be largely ending our indoor masking requirements except for certain higher risk settings. Note that state restrictions and mandates are still in force, including the requirement that unvaccinated persons wear masks while indoors.

Educational Videos: As part of the ongoing #VaxUpPhilly marketing campaign, the City has produced a series of educational videos featuring doctors of color from area healthcare institutions who address common questions they hear from patients about the vaccine. These videos are available on the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s YouTube page. 

Changes to Outdoor Dining: The City of Philadelphia announced modifications to the outdoor dining initiative—which was initially launched as a temporary, emergency support program. These adjustments are necessary for public safety as Philadelphia continues to fully reopen, with more pedestrian and vehicular traffic on the city’s streets and sidewalks. 

Beginning tomorrow, June 11, the following changes will go into effect:

  • Propane use: The use of propane will be prohibited in the parking lane (that is, in streeteries). Propane may still be used on sidewalks if used and stored appropriately, as current law allows. Businesses can still use electrical heaters if they follow guidelines. Gas and kerosene heaters also remain prohibited.  
  • Streeteries: Structures exceeding 10 feet high will not be allowed. As a reminder, approval from the Streets Department is required before a building permit can be issued for any structure in the right-of-way. It is important to note that all Streets Department approvals for structures related to a Streetery expire on December 31, 2021.

As the City has ended almost all pandemic restrictions and with normal activities resuming (which will lead to an increase of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic), it is crucial that businesses adhere to the rules of the outdoor dining program, which can be found online here (filter the list by “Food, Restaurants and Hospitality”). 

Since launching in June 2020, Philadelphia’s outdoor dining initiative—launched as a temporary, emergency support program—has helped more than 750 restaurants to earn much needed revenue by offering safe outdoor dining. The temporary outdoor/right-of-way dining program will continue through December 31, 2021 but there may be additional adjustments to it this year. The process for temporary street closures will also remain the same until December 31, 2021. 

Moving forward, we will continue to hold discussions with the restaurant business community and are looking at the complicated issues around what elements of the program will need to be further scaled back and what elements of the program may make sense to continue in the longer term. As of now, the City’s temporary outdoor dining program would end in its current form on December 31, 2021. The administration looks forward to working with City Council, local business owners, and residents to work through the details regarding a potential permanent program.

Approved Weekend Street Closures for Outdoor Dining (June 11 – June 13): In June 2020, the City launched four new options for restaurants to operate outdoor dining in order to earn much needed revenue. To see this weekend’s approved street closures, view this blog. Vehicular traffic should avoid these streets.

COVID-19 Resources:

Resources for Media:

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