Philly Leader

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney came under fire for dining indoors in Maryland when he had banned dining inside in Philadelphia.

Kenney has issued an apology after the photo of him went viral, CBS reported. 

“I know some are upset that I dined indoors at a restaurant in Maryland yesterday,” Kenney tweeted, CBS reported. “I felt the risk was low because the county I visited has had fewer than 800 COVID-19 cases, compared to over 33,000 cases in Philadelphia.”

Kenney said he was sorry for those that were hurt by his decision.

“Restaurant owners are among the hardest hit by the pandemic,” Kenney said in the tweet. “I’m sorry if my decision hurt those who’ve worked to keep their businesses going under difficult circumstances. Looking forward to reopening indoor dining soon and visiting my favorite spots.”

A spokesperson for Kenney’s office also defended his decision to eat inside the restaurant.

“The mayor went to Maryland earlier today to patronize a restaurant owned by a friend of his,” a spokesperson for Kenney’s office told CBS. “He looks forward to expanding indoor dining locally next week.”

Many responded to his tweet, some noting that they appreciated his apology, while others disagreeing. 

“As an elected public official, optics matter,” one user replied. “This was a poor decision.”

Another said they were thankful he admitted his mistake, but that they did not feel indoor dining should be reopened until a vaccine is available for all.

One user shared a video of Old City.

“Current view from Old City,” the user replied. “A boarded-up ghost town. You owe these owners, employees, and residents whose lives you are actively destroying real answers! You’re only sorry because you got caught. Hypocrite.”

One user called for Kenney to resign.

“Total COVID case count is meaningless,” the user replied. “It's the % positive tests that counts. If he's on the Eastern Shore, the county he's in likely doesn't have 100,000 total residents, unlike Philly. Also explain how countries like Sweden that never shut down but do well. He needs to resign!”