New COVID rules have taken effect, starting Jan. 3. Make sure you have your vaccine card at the ready because they will now be required if you want to eat inside of a Philly restaurant or bar or anywhere that serves food or drinks inside.
This vaccine rule comes after the omicron variant has spread like wildfire and has increased cases in the city. Proof of vaccine will also be required to enter movie theaters and bowling alleys in the city.
But, perhaps the biggest and most important place where vaccines are required is at the Wells Fargo Center. The arena has already been implementing that rule for a while now, alongside negative COVID-19 tests, but now everyone will have to show proof of vaccination for concerts and sporting events, after Jan 17. The negative test must be within 24 hours. The screening of cards will happen before you get to the security checkpoint.
Restaurants and other venues encourage patrons to be patient with them through this new transition. James Garrow, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, wants the customers to be kind. “This is a new process that the restaurants — while many are happy about it — aren’t doing on their own. They’re required to check for vaccine status by the Health Department. Yelling at and berating staff who are just doing their job won’t get you into a restaurant faster and won’t convince them to stop following the rules. In 2022, let’s all practice a bit of kindness and work to get past this pandemic together,” he told The Philadelphia Inquirer via email.
So, here’s what you must have to enter these places- either both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. They must be listed on your vaccine card. A picture of your card on your phone works, as well as the vaccine passport app. As of right now, these places aren’t requiring boosters, but rules change from day to day.
While workers want to keep themselves and their customers safe, Philadelphia residents have mixed opinions on the new mandate.
