The city is lifting some more coronavirus restrictions imposed on businesses on Nov. 20 due to a spike in new cases. Starting this Saturday, Jan. 16, limited indoor dining at restaurants is allowed to resume. Restaurants can reopen at 25 percent capacity and are allowed to seat only up to four people from the same household at one table. Indoor catering events and entertainment are still not allowed.

“Everyone must wear a mask at all times, especially when they are sitting and eating,” Philadelphia Public Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said on Tuesday when announcing loosening of indoor dining restrictions. Here’s what this means:  Continue Reading

As of January 11th, 50,532 people in Philadelphia have received the first dose of the COVID vaccine and over 9,000 people have received the second, final dose. While the city is still prioritizing health care workers and residents and staff at nursing homes, who were outlined in the Phase 1A for vaccine distribution, the Department of Public Health has announced the next group who will begin receiving vaccinations soon.

Phase 1B includes people ages 75 and older and those with certain high-risk medical conditions; first responders; correctional officers and other workers in congregate care settings not included in Phase 1A; food and critical goods handlers and manufacturers; grocery store workers; childcare and education providers; public transit workers.  Continue Reading

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There has been an uptick in robberies at gunpoint and car jackings in the Cedar Park, Garden Court and Spruce Hill neighborhoods, according to police. Police have scheduled an emergency info meeting, which will be held via Zoom on Friday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. Robbery prevention tips will also be provided at the meeting.

To join the meeting, please go to: https://zoom.us/join and enter the meeting ID and passcode provided in the attached flyer.

The following incidents have been reported in the last seven days (Sources: Cedar Park Neighbors Forum, Spot Crime):

• 4800 block of Osage (robbery/carjacking) – January 10th

• 48th and Larchwood (robbery/carjacking) – January 9th

• 4700 block of Osage (robbery) – January 9th, 6:50 p.m.  Continue Reading

A 30-year-old-man was shot multiple times and killed this afternoon on the 5200 block of Cedar Avenue, according to reports. The shooting took place shortly after 2:30 p.m., according to police. The man was shot at least three times – in the head, in the neck and in his left arm.

He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:59 p.m., according to police.

Police recovered a weapon on the scene. No arrests have been made as of this afternoon.

Philadelphia officials have lifted some COVID-19 restrictions re-imposed on local businesses and activities in November due to a spike in coronavirus cases in the city. The following types of businesses and activities can now resume operations (with COVID safety protocols), according to Mayor Jim Kenney’s announcement on Tuesday:

• Museums
• Gyms
• Casinos
• Outdoor sports
• Outdoor catered events
• In-person learning for high schools  Continue Reading

As of Dec. 30, 24,390 partial doses of COVID-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were administered in Philadelphia, according to the data published by PennLive.

The Pa. Department of Health launched a new dashboard last week where you can check the number of COVID-19 vaccines administered daily in the state (total and by county). However, the dashboard only includes data on vaccine doses provided by the state. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health receives vaccine doses from the federal government and is keeping separate statistics, which you can view here.  Continue Reading