PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Philadelphia will require proof of the COVID-19 vaccine for dining at bars, restaurants, indoor sporting events and other food-related establishments beginning Jan.3, city and public health officials announced Monday. .
Public Health Director Cheryl Bettigole said Philadelphia has seen infection rates double in recent weeks and hospitalizations have increased by about 50%.
With colder weather driving people indoors and more holiday gatherings expected, Bettigole and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said the vaccination mandate test is meant to decrease the chance of transmission while at the same time , avoid the closure of indoor dining rooms such as closures in 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic.
“I don’t want to close our restaurants or other establishments that serve food. I want them to stay open and operate safely, ”Bettigole said.
Bettigole said the mandate will apply to the Wells Fargo Center, home of the Flyers and 76ers, or other indoor sports venues where people buy food and eat it in their seats. The rules will not change for now at outdoor sporting events, but will apply to indoor areas and businesses within Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles play, and similar venues.
Philadelphia is among a growing number of cities in the US, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City, that require people to show proof of vaccination to enter various types of businesses and places.
Kenney, a Democrat, said he visited New York two weeks ago, where closed restaurants and other establishments have required a vaccine test since August, and found the requirements easy to understand.
“I was in New York two weeks ago and it was not a problem at all. Bring your ID and vaccination card and everything went well, ”said Kenney. “That is why we are doing this to stop what is really serious, which would be the closure.”
Customers and employees will need to start showing their vaccination cards on January 3 to enter establishments where people eat together indoors, including cinemas and cafes or bars within larger establishments such as stores or hotels.
Bettigole said that during the first two weeks of the mandate, users will have the option to show a negative COVID-19 test from the last 24 hours to enter.
But starting January 17, proof of complete vaccination will be needed for clients.
The city mandate allows additional time for children ages 5 to 11 and employees to get vaccinated. The city requests that those groups receive a first dose before January 3 and a second dose before February 3.
The requirement does not apply to people who are exempt from vaccination, including children under the age of 5 or people with proven medical or religious exemptions, Bettigole said.
But those with exemptions and children between the ages of 2 and 5 will need to submit a negative COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours to enter facilities with capacity for more than 1,000 people covered by the requirement. That includes sports venues, movie theaters, bowling alleys, or spaces like museum cafes within larger venues.
He added that establishments such as schools, kindergartens and others such as soup kitchens or shelters that serve vulnerable populations will not require proof of vaccination or negative tests.
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