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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia is taking large steps to get the coronavirus pandemic below management as soon as and for all. A brand new masks mandate will take impact at midnight Thursday.
Face coverings should be worn inside until the enterprise requires proof of vaccination.
To quell rising COVID-19 instances, Philadelphia officers introduced sweeping restrictions Wednesday, together with a mandate efficient at midnight Thursday that companies within the metropolis require both masks or proof of vaccination for all its workers and prospects.
“We all know we have to take stronger steps to guard our residents,” Mayor Jim Kenney stated.
Kenney introduced new COVID-19 restrictions for Philadelphia on Wednesday to fight instances which have doubled thrice in a month.
“Issues don’t look good proper now, particularly in gentle of what we’re seeing in different states,” Performing Well being Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole stated.
The town will now require masks indoors in any respect places until vaccinations are required for everybody. Masks may also be required in any respect out of doors, unseated gatherings of greater than 1,000 folks.
For indoor eating, masks will likely be required until the restaurant requires proof of vaccination for patrons and workers. There aren’t any adjustments for out of doors eating, which might proceed unrestricted.
“I’m upset,” Kenney stated.
The mayor expressed frustration that the brand new mandates are wanted as a result of about 30% of town has not been vaccinated.
“This amazes me that that is the most straightforward factor to do to maintain your self protected and your loved ones protected and your group protected and other people nonetheless refuse to do it,” Kenney stated.
Beginning Sept. 1, all metropolis workers will likely be required to be totally vaccinated in the event that they work inside or be double-masked.
“Getting vaccinated isn’t only a private choice,” Bettigole stated. “It’s a call that impacts all of us.”
Metropolis officers say the brand new restrictions are medically needed however measured to not additional influence the financial system.
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Most metropolis unions are expressing assist.
“A mandate will assist in stopping this illness,” American Federation of State, County and Municipal Workers District Council 33 President Ernest Garrett stated.
However the Firefighters and Paramedics Union is against the brand new restrictions.
“We’re not going to sit down there and tolerate anybody jamming something down our throats,” Native 22 Philly President Mike Bresnan stated.
“If any person desires to sue us for attempting to maintain them alive, then we’ll see what the choose has to say,” Kenney stated.
In the meantime, the Philadelphia Eagles up to date their well being and security protocols following town’s new necessities.
Followers will likely be required to put on masks whereas at places indoors at Lincoln Monetary Discipline however not whereas open air. Followers won’t have to point out proof of vaccination on the Linc, the Eagles stated.
Unvaccinated followers are strongly inspired to all the time put on a masks until consuming or ingesting. Followers must also deliver their very own masks with them to the stadium.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 11, 2021
Officers stated anybody who violates the brand new COVID-19 security necessities can face fines.
Philadelphia residents can get proof of vaccination in the event that they misplaced their playing cards by calling town’s COVID-19 name heart at 215-685-5488 or emailing COVID@phila.gov.
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CBS’s Stephanie Stahl contributed to this report.
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