Due to the rapid increase in cases in Philadelphia, the City Health Department announced a new mask mandate designed to slow the spread of the dangerous COVID Delta variant.
The mask mandate went into effect on August 12, 2021. It applies to construction work as follows:
| Type of construction | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Construction work at businesses and institutions | Masks are required indoors at all Philadelphia businesses and institutions that do not require everyone who enters to be vaccinated. |
| Construction work inside enclosed structures that are in the process of being built | Masks are required unless all companies with workers on site require proof of vaccination. |
| Construction work indoors at unoccupied existing structures | Masks are required unless all companies with workers on site require proof of vaccination. |
| Construction work indoors at residential properties | Masks are required. |
| Construction work outdoors | Masking is not required at outdoor jobsites but the Health Department continues to strongly recommend that unvaccinated individuals mask up. |
The best way to make masks unnecessary is for more of us to be fully vaccinated. And the best way to protect yourself, your family, your coworkers, and your community is to be fully vaccinated. We strongly encourage everyone that is not yet fully vaccinated to get both of their doses as soon as they are eligible. You can find the hundreds of locations that are administering the vaccines in Philadelphia, all for free, and often without an appointment needed, at phila.gov/vaccine.
