Releases Reopening with Care, Philadelphia’s Strategy for Moving to the Green Phase

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 68 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 24,723.

The Department of Public Health noted continued progress in congregate settings, including nursing homes and the Department of Prisons. Current and cumulative totals of both symptomatic and asymptomatic positive cases in Philadelphia prisons are now posted on the testing and data page of the City’s COVID-19 website.

The Department of Public Health confirmed ten additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 1,513. Of the 1,513 total deaths, 775 (51%) were long-term care facility residents.

The Department of Public Health reports 238 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 449 people hospitalized in the region (including Philadelphia).

Reopening with Care: Today, the City released Reopening with Care, Philadelphia’s Strategy for Moving to the Green Phase of reopening post COVID-19.

“Philadelphia has continued to make progress in the fight against the COVID-19 coronavirus,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Daily case counts are falling, residents are wearing masks, and the number of patients hospitalized with the infection is steadily dropping. If progress continues through June, Philadelphia should be ready to carefully reopen additional activities in early July. Carefully is the operative word to prevent a second wave of the infection.”

Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said, “I’m excited to see the progress Philadelphia has made against this epidemic.  But we will be cautious on how we reopen. Philadelphia is uniquely at risk, as the most densely populated county in the state, with the highest number of cases and deaths from COVID. We don’t want to see a second wave of this epidemic.  We will be more careful and will be more restrictive than the Commonwealth in what activities are allowed and how they can operate.”

The Reopening with Care report:

  • Summarizes the City’s progress combatting COVID-19 through June 15, including updates on the core strategies during the Safer at Home (Yellow) Phase (containment, social distancing, and protecting vulnerable populations);
  • Establishes targets that would indicate if it is safe to restart some Green Phase activities; and
  • Clarifies what activities will and will not be allowed to restart when targets are met.

Some activities will be newly permitted in Yellow Phase beginning June 26, if progress on metrics continues. These include: 

  • Residential swimming pools and private swim clubs
  • Zoos (outside only)
  • Personal services such as salons, barbers, and spas
  • Small indoor social and religious gatherings (up to 25 people)

The following activities are newly allowed in the Green Phase beginning July 3 in Philadelphia if targets are met: 

  • Outdoor group recreational and sports activities for youth and adults
  • Gyms and indoor exercise classes
  • Schools and colleges
  • Libraries and museums
  • Indoor shopping malls
  • Outdoor performances and small outdoor events (up to 50 people)
  • Restaurants with indoor seating (with occupancy restrictions)

Reopening guidance for the industries listed above will be released by the health department next week.

Higher-risk activities will not start immediately when Philadelphia reaches the Green Phase because these activities involve crowds, people in close proximity, high risk activities (such as eating, drinking, singing), or vulnerable populations. The following activities will be allowed to restart subsequently and on different dates, based on the risk presented by each activity and the status of the epidemic:

  • Casinos
  • Restaurants and bars with indoor seating (no occupancy restrictions)
  • Large outdoor events (more than 50 people)
  • Theaters and indoor events
  • In-person conventions/conferences
  • Large indoor social and religious gatherings (more than 25 people)
  • Senior services involving gatherings (such as adult daycares)

Learn more about the City’s strategy to move to the Green Phase in Reopening with Care.

Testing Site Map: A testing site finder at phila.gov/testing helps people find a free COVID-19 test in Philadelphia. Anyone can search for a site by address, click on a map location for specific site information, and filter by day of week and by drive-thru or walk-up.

COVID-19 Resources:

  • City’s COVID-19 homepage: phila.gov/covid-19.
  • COVID-19 resources translated into multiple languages.
  • Greater Philadelphia Coronavirus Helpline: 1 (800) 722-7112.
  • Residents can text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to get updates sent to their phones.
  • Find out more about testing for COVID-19.
  • Businesses with questions about the applicability of the new Safer-at-Home Order’s guidelines to their operations should email business@phila.gov.
  • The PHL COVID-19 Fund continues to solicit donations to aid nonprofits that are on the frontline of the pandemic.

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