The City of Philadelphia announced new masking restrictions on August 11. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on August 12, indoor businesses and institutions in Philadelphia must either require masks for employees and customers or verify that everyone is fully vaccinated. For businesses that do not require proof of vaccination, all customers and employees must wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. Indoor dining may continue, but restaurants that do not require proof of vaccination must require masking when patrons are not seated and eating or drinking. These restrictions do not apply to outdoor dining.
Masks will also be required in public areas, all city buildings, and in unseated outdoor gatherings of 1,000 or more people. The city is implementing these new masking requirements in an effort to curb the spread of the Delta variant, and warns that further restrictions may be necessary if case counts continue to increase.