Philadelphia vaccine mandate: Negative tests no longer accepted at indoor dining establishments

City of Philadelphia employee, contractor vaccination deadline pushed to Jan. 24

Dr. Cheryl Bettigole joins Good Day Philadelphia to share the latest in Philadelphia and health related headlines.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia's indoor dining establishments now require customers and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as the two-week period also allowing for negative tests has come to an end.

The mandate, which was announced back in December, went into effect on Jan. 3. The city says it was implemented in response to a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia.

It includes a two-week grace period - ending on Jan. 17 - where establishments may choose to accept a negative test from the last 24 hours in lieu of proof of vaccination.

Now, customers and staff at these establishments mush have completed their primary series of vaccinations - one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or two doses of Moderna or Pfizer.

The mandate also allows some extra time for children ages 5-11 and employees to get vaccinated. The city is asking that those groups have a first dose by Jan. 3 and a second dose by Feb. 3.

In addition to the city's vaccination mandate for indoor dining, all City of Philadelphia employees and contractors are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 24. The deadline was moved back 10 days late last week citing ongoing negotiations with labor unions.

Where does the vaccine mandate apply?

The mandate applies to places where patrons can eat together indoors, like restaurants, bars, sports venues that serve food, catering halls, and movie theaters. Exemptions include schools, day cares, grocery stores, hospitals, convenience stores, and soup kitchens that serve vulnerable populations.

Below is a full list of establishments that serve food that are subject to the mandate:

Indoor restaurant spaces
Cafes within larger spaces (like museums)
Bars
Sports venues that serve food or drink for onsite consumption
Movie theaters
Bowling alleys
Other entertainment venues that serve food or drink for onsite consumption
Conventions (if food is being served)
Catering halls
Casinos where food and drink is allowed on the floor
Food court seating areas should be cordoned off and have someone checking vaccine status on entry to the seating area

The mandate will apply to the Wells Fargo Center or other indoor sporting venues where people buy food and eat it in their seats, the city announced. The rules will not change for now at outdoor sporting events, but will apply to indoor areas and businesses inside Lincoln Financial Field and similar venues.

The mandate does not apply in the Philadelphia International Airport, except in traditional seated restaurants or seated bar-style locations.

Who is exempt from the vaccine mandate?

The requirement does not apply to people who are exempted from vaccination including children under 5, or people with proven medical or religious exemptions, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole said.

But those with exemptions and children between 2 and 5 years old will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours to enter establishments that seat more than 1,000 people covered by the requirement. That includes sports venues, movie theatres, bowling alleys, or spaces like museum cafes inside of larger venues.