Philadelphia officials have announced that they will be lifting the remaining COVID restrictions, except for the indoor mask mandate and the 11 p.m. last call for dining, on Wednesday, June 2. The previously announced date for dropping these restrictions was June 11, however, due to the lowest numbers of new COVID cases in the city since September, the officials’ plan has changed.

The restrictions that are being lifted on Wednesday include density and maximum capacity limits, and social distancing rules.

City officials may lift the indoor mask mandate on June 11 if the number of new COVID cases remains low. Just a reminder that the outdoor mask mandate was lifted on May 21.

Starting this Friday (May 21), fully vaccinated Philadelphia residents will no longer be required to wear masks outside, including in crowded places, according to an announcement by the City’s acting Health Commissioner, Dr. Cheryl Bettigole. Those who are not fully vaccinated are still advised to wear masks in crowded places, like outdoor restaurants and sporting events.

The indoor mask mandate will remain in place until at least June 11, when the city is expected to lift all capacity-related COVID restrictions. Health officials will review COVID numbers in the city and decide whether indoor masks for vaccinated people can be eliminated on the week of June 6.

Just a reminder that some COVID restrictions in Philadelphia will be eased this Friday (read more here).

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is teaming up with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Black Doctors COVID Consortium to offer school students (ages 16 and older) a two-dose Pfizer vaccine beginning this Friday, May 14 at four locations throughout Philadelphia. West Philadelphia students have an opportunity to receive the first dose of the vaccine at the University of the Sciences (USciences) on Tuesday, May 18.

Registration is required and students can register themselves. They also do not need to be accompanied by an adult for their vaccine appointment. Continue Reading

CVS has joined other pharmacies in Philadelphia to provide COVID vaccinations to residents. Many CVS locations in the city, including a few stores in West Philly, have vaccine appointments available. To schedule an appointment, go here. You can also try to walk in. The following West Philly locations have COVID vaccines: 4849 Market St., 3925 Walnut St., 3401 Walnut St.

In other Philadelphia COVID vaccine news, the FEMA-run vaccination clinic at the Pennsylvania Convention Center has about 4,000 Pfizer vaccine doses that are set to expire this Thursday. Philadelphia residents age 16 and older or those who work in the city are welcome to stop by today or tomorrow by 4 p.m. to get their first dose of the vaccine. No appointment is required. Continue Reading

Starting today, the city’s Department of Public Health began posting links on their website where residents can schedule a COVID vaccine appointment without an invitation at the FEMA-run mass vaccination clinics in Center City and North Philadelphia and at city-run neighborhood vaccination clinics, including the clinic located at the University of the Sciences in West Philadelphia.

To make a vaccine appointment, go here.

As was reported last week, FEMA-run mass vaccination clinics also began accepting walk-ups in addition to those people who had been invited to schedule an appointment after filling out the COVID Vaccine Interest form online or by calling 311. These options are also still available.

The City of Philadelphia has recently expanded COVID vaccine eligibility to all residents over the age of 16, so anyone within this age group can now sign up for an appointment or just walk in.

The city has expanded COVID vaccine eligibility to all adults (age 16 and older) today, which is three days earlier than the previously announced date (April 19). Public Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley made the announcement this afternoon and the new eligibility is effective immediately.

Multiple vaccination sites around the city have reported appointment vacancies, according to Farley. People over the age of 65 are still strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as one of the most vulnerable groups. Continue Reading