Facing an exponential increase in COVID-19 cases, and a threat of overwhelmed hospitals, Philadelphia has imposed new restrictions limiting gatherings, prohibiting indoor dining and setting new capacity restrictions for stores, churches and more. The new restrictions go into effect on Friday, Nov. 20 and will last until Jan. 1, 2021 at the earliest.
Philadelphia health commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley shared a dire picture of the city’s future if the coronavirus is allowed to spread at its current pace. He noted that at the rate the virus is spreading, the city is set to reach more than 3,000 new cases per day by 2021. Hospitals are already experiencing strain, but could hit capacity before the end of the year. COVID-19 related deaths in the city could increase by 700 or 1,400 between now and the end of the year.
The new restrictions were inspired by similar moves in Europe, which appear to show that schools can remain open during a general shutdown.
Here is a list of the new prohibitions:
Indoor gatherings or events of any size, public or private, are prohibited.
Outdoor gatherings should be limited to 10% occupancy. No food or drink is allowed at these events, to encourage everyone to wear a mask for the entirety of the event. Larger venues will have an attendance cap at 2,000 people. This means that no fans will be allowed at Eagles games played at Lincoln Financial Field.
Indoor dining is prohibited.
Outdoor dining should be restricted to members of one household only. As such, the city is asking restaurants to restrict tables to just four seats.
Retail stores should operate with a density of no more than 5 persons per 1,000 square feet. Staff should enforce the city’s mask policy and not allowing anyone without a mask to enter the store. The store should also not serve anyone without a mask on.
Religious institutions should operate services and gatherings at 5% occupancy, or 5 persons per 1,000 square feet. Online services are encouraged.
Senior day services should stay closed.
Colleges and high schools will move to virtual and remote learning only.
Middle schools, elementary schools and childcare facilities can continue to operate in-person, provided everyone wears a mask and practices social distancing.
Museums, theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, casinos and libraries should be closed.
Gyms and indoor exercise classes are prohibited, but outdoor exercise classes are allowed to continue.
People should work from home unless they are unable to do so.
Beauty salons and barbershops are allowed to remain open, but staff and customers must wear masks at all times. These companies are now allowed to work on the face or other services that would require masks to be removed.
Recreational activities and youth, community and school sports are prohibited. College sports are allowed to continue as long as there are no spectators.
Zoos will only have their outdoor areas open.
Farley encouraged the neighboring counties to put similar restrictions into place. “We’re all in this together,” he said.
If you encounter a business or institution not following the city’s COVID-19 guidelines, you are encouraged to contact the city at 311 or by submitting a request on phila.gov.
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