Coronavirus Restrictions Eased In Philadelphia: What To Know

PHILADELPHIA — Due to decreasing coronavirus case rates and increasing vaccination administration in Philadelphia, officials Monday eased some of the city's coronavirus restrictions, signaling a path to a return to normalcy.

Last week, Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said the city will relax several restrictions in place to match the state's restrictions.

The decision comes as the city's coronavirus figures trend positively and with the expiration of an executive order issued by Mayor Jim Kenney in November 2020.

Here's a look at what changes Monday:

Indoor/Outdoor Events

The city's limits on indoor and outdoor event sizes will now match the state's guidelines.

Regarding outdoor spaces, venues that can host 10,000 people or more are capped at 5 percent capacity or up to 2,500 people. With that limit in place, the Phillies can allow fans in the stadium during its home games. However, that 2,500 figure includes everyone inside Citizens Bank Park— teams, staff, fans and others.

Outdoor venues with up to 2,000 capacity limits can only have 15 percent of their capacity, and venues with 2,001-10,000 capacity limits can only have 10 percent of their capacity.

For indoor events and gatherings, places with a 2,000-person capacity can have up to 10 percent of that capacity indoors; 2,001-10,000 capacity spaces can have 5 percent capacity; and places with 10,000 of greater people inside cannot have more than 500 people.

Farley said the Flyers and Sixers asked that fans be allowed in the Wells Fargo Center for games, but no decision has been made on that request.

Outdoor catered events are permitted, but attendance is capped at 100 people. Indoor catered events are still banned even after Monday.

Restaurant Restrictions

Restaurant restrictions will remain largely unchanged. However, Farley said outdoor dining can now allow six people per table, up from four people. Additionally, diners were only allowed to eat with members of their own household, but now outdoor diners can eat with people from outside their household.

Movie Theaters

Movie theaters will also have some eased restrictions. Farley said food and drink sales will be permitted in theaters. However, theatergoers will be limited to four per group.

Retail Businesses

Retail businesses will be permitted to allow 20 people inside per 1,000 square feet of space.

Senior Centers

Senior centers will open again after being closed for months, but restrictions apply. Farley said KN95 masks or double masks — a surgical mask under a cloth mask — must be worn by people in the centers, and no more than 25 people are permitted in one room of the centers at a time.

Religious Services

Religious services can increase capacity to 20 percent as well.