Philly Leader

With the Philadelphia mask mandate coming to an end recently, the Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health said that doesn't mean masks should be completely forgotten, as they have shown to be effective at slowing transmission rates.

Masks were mandated at the beginning of April when there was a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the City of Philadelphia reported in a release. Masking up seemed to work, as the Health Department saw numbers decline, thus ending the mandate. The Health Department still urges residents to wear masks in public while indoors, however, since masks are still among the most effective ways of mitigating infection.

"As we've learned more about COVID-19 and how it affects us in Philadelphia, the Health Department has adjusted the City's mandates to be the least restrictive while keeping residents safe," Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole said in the release. "That will remain a priority for us. Thank you, Philly, for stepping up once again and responding to this pandemic with solidarity and care for each other."

Though the mandate has been lifted, businesses and institutions can still implement their own mask policies and require vaccination proof, the City of Philadelphia reported. Schools may require masks at their own discretion as well, but the city urges that teachers and students choose to do so. Health care institutions and places where people have increased health risks such as shelters and nursing homes will still have mask mandates in place.

Masks are still recommended in small spaces with several people, such as car pools; places where a lot of people come in and out, such as trains, buses and stores; places where people will not or cannot get the vaccine; and places where physical exertion is common, such as a gymnasium, the City of Philadelphia reported.