Philly ends vax mandate, introduces tiered COVID response system

With COVID-19 cases down more than 50% in Philadelphia over the past two weeks, the city announced a tiered system Wednesday that will establish mask and vaccination mandates based on current case levels. 

The city’s four-tiered system ranges from “all clear” to “extreme caution.” Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, Philadelphia Health Commissioner, said that based on this system, the city is currently in Level 2 – Mask Precautions stage – meaning masks but not proof of vaccination will be required for indoor public places. 

“We fully recognize this virus will be with us for the foreseeable future and we must learn to move forward together in ways that promote public health and reflect the realities of life and society,” Mayor Jim Kenney said during a virtual press briefing Wednesday. “I’m glad we’ve reached a point where we know much more about this virus and which strategies will help manage its spread.” 

The new response levels are based on case counts, positivity rates, hospitalizations and the rate of change in cases, Bettigole said. 

“Philadelphia’s vaccine mandate for dining establishments has been hard on our restaurants and places of entertainment,” Bettigole said. “But the work those establishments have done has helped decrease transmission and increase vaccination rates in the city.”

As of yesterday, cases are down nearly 95% and hospitalizations are down nearly 80% from the peak the city experienced last month. 

Here are the city’s response levels:

• Level 4: Extreme Caution
  • Proof of vaccination required for places that serve food or drink
  • Masks required in indoor public places
• Level 3: Caution
  • Proof of vaccination or negative test within 24 hours (acceptable tests include lab or onsite testing, not home tests) for places that serve food or drink
  • Masks required in indoor public places
• Level 2: Mask Precautions
  • No vaccine requirement for places that serve food or drink
  • Masks required in indoor public places
• Level 1: All Clear
  • No vaccine requirement for places that serve food or drink
  • No mask requirement except in schools, health care institutions, congregate settings and on public transportation

The city also announced it’s offering $100 over the next six weeks to anyone who receives their series of vaccinations for the first time. More information on the thresholds for each COVID response level is available on the city’s website.