After Philadelphia imposed COVID-19 restrictions on businesses and social gatherings for more than a year, city officials set a timetable to cancel all remaining “at home” orders on June 11. Philadelphia’s mask regulations will remain in effect. Until further notice.

Before those plans for a full reopening next month, the city will take an intermediate step to greatly relax restrictions on COVID-19. As of May 21, these changes are as follows:

restaurant

• The maximum capacity is still 50%, and if the enhanced ventilation standards are met, the maximum capacity is 75%
• The distance between the chair backs will be reduced from 6 feet to 3 feet
• The requirement to prohibit the sale of alcohol without purchasing food will end
•For people who are not sitting or eating, the mask requirement is still valid

office

• Will be allowed to operate without density restrictions, but the mask requirements are still valid

Retail stores, bowling alleys, museums, libraries, etc.

• Will be allowed to operate without density restrictions, but the mask requirements are still valid

Gym and indoor swimming pool

• Will be allowed to operate at 75% of maximum capacity or 15 people per 1,000 square feet
•The number of practice classes is limited to 25 people

Indoor parties and theaters

• The venue can be operated at 50% of its capacity
• People from different groups must maintain a distance of at least 3 feet

Outdoor parties and theater

• Fixed-seat venues will be allowed to operate at 50% of the occupancy rate
• A venue without seats can accommodate up to 33 people per 1,000 square feet
• People from different groups must maintain a distance of at least 3 feet

Indoor dining events

• Activities can be carried out at 25% of the venue occupancy limit
• Food can only be enjoyed at the table
• If you do not listen to music, dance or drink, you can accommodate up to 250 people, including staff
• If there is music, dancing or alcoholic beverages, it can accommodate up to 150 people, including staff

Outdoor dining activities

•Can be carried out within 50% of the venue occupancy limit, and there is no upper limit on the number of participants

Outdoor swimming pool

• Can operate without density limitation or maximum capacity

Playground

• The maximum capacity that can be operated at 50%, if the enhanced ventilation standard is met, the maximum capacity that can be operated at 75%
• People from different groups must maintain a distance of at least 3 feet
• Liquor can be sold to customers on game consoles
• Mask requirements are still valid

Philadelphia’s reopening plan is in COVID-19 spread continues to decline In the city and Vaccination rate Gradually climb. The health department has taken a particularly cautious approach throughout the pandemic, saying on Tuesday that officials are satisfied that the next phase of recovery will proceed as quickly as possible.

The announcement was made by Pennsylvania last week Cancel its remaining statewide mitigation orders on Memorial Day. Pennsylvania’s mask regulations will remain in effect until 70% of the state’s population has been vaccinated. According to the latest revision of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those who have been vaccinated no longer need to wear masks when outdoors, unless they are in a crowd.

Philadelphia last Relax restrictions In restaurants and indoor gatherings, including banquets such as the wedding on May 7.

Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said the city set a later date than other parts of Pennsylvania in order to make more progress towards safe reopening.

“This gives us more time to reduce the case rate and increase the vaccination rate. This is just a little extra profit in terms of safety,” Farley said.

The health commissioner cannot provide a date when the city’s mask requirements will be cancelled, but there is no indefinite request for masks.

Farley said: “I want to observe the occurrence of this epidemic across the country, and how our vaccination rate occurs.” “Currently, the rate is declining rapidly. I hope that the vaccine is the cause of this situation. But I’m not sure. I think if we have more evidence that the vaccine is the cause of this situation, then we can feel comfortable and we don’t need to wear masks. But if I think it’s just the seasonal behavior of the virus, then I hope people will continue to wear masks.”

As of the week of May 8, Philadelphia had an average of 241 new COVID-19 cases every day. According to existing data, the positive rate was 3.2%. In the week leading up to May 1, the city averaged 404 cases per day, and the test positive rate was 5.1%.

When other countries seem to stand out from the pandemic, Axios/Ipsos poll A survey released on Tuesday found that Americans are becoming more comfortable with going out again and returning to more normal daily activities. In a nationally representative sample of 1,078 American adults, 59% said they visited family and friends last week. Although many people continue to follow the recommendations and wear masks, including those who have been vaccinated, these numbers are declining as mitigation measures improve and relax.

At the COVID-19 Congressional briefing on Tuesday, infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci told lawmakers that this vaccine is more effective in real life than in clinical trials.

Health experts also suggest that although continued safety practices are still important to protect vulnerable groups while vaccination rates are increasing, people who are fully vaccinated Should feel protected and safer Resume other activities.

President Joe Biden announced earlier this month that America’s goal is By July 4th, 70% of the population had received the vaccination.As of May 11, more than 115 million Americans, or 34.8% of the population, Has been fully vaccinated.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that as of Monday, 579,000 people in Philadelphia had received full vaccination, accounting for about 39% of residents 18 years of age and older. Among people 18 years and older, approximately 49% have received one or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Among urban residents 65 years of age and older, 61% have received the full course of vaccination, and it is estimated that 71% have received one or more doses.

Farley said on Tuesday that the virus is still unpredictable and the setbacks may show up again, but he is optimistic about the way forward in Philadelphia and the rest of the country.

Farley said: “I always dare not predict the future. I cannot guarantee that this is the end of the epidemic.” “It may come back in the fall. It may come back in the summer. It may come back in the winter. But I do think We have made tremendous progress. I am really optimistic from now on. If people just start some simple steps from here, it will help us cross the end.”