Philadelphia has joined the list of U.S. cities that require proof of vaccination for indoor dining and various other indoor events.
The mandate is set to go into effect starting January 3, 2022, according to a news release from the city on Monday.
Philadelphia residents will be required to show proof of vaccination in order to gain entry to restaurants, bars, museums, and other indoor entertainment events.
Philadelphia joins San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles and nearby New York in requiring proof of vaccination for indoor events.
Establishments can accept negative Covid-19 tests taken within 24 hours of entry instead of proof of vaccination for the first two weeks of the mandate, but this exception will end on January 17, according to the news release.
Those wishing to enter these establishments must provide proof of having received two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson injection.
The mandate does not apply to some other settings.
Among those settings are K-12 schools, hospitals, residential or healthcare facilities, grocery stores, convenience stores or Philadelphia International Airport.
“We recently announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for Philly establishments that sell food or drink for consumption onsite,” wrote Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney in a tweet.
“New cases and hospitalizations are rising.”
“We believe this mandate will help protect residents, and many restaurant owners agree.”
We recently announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for Philly establishments that sell food or drink for consumption onsite.
New cases and hospitalizations are rising. We believe this mandate will help protect residents, and many restaurant owners agree. https://t.co/Z00xEfpQWe
— Jim #VaxUpPhilly Kenney (@PhillyMayor) December 15, 2021
Surrounding, high population counties such as Delaware and Montgomery counties have no such mandates.
This has led many to question the effectiveness of the new measures as the city has a large commuter population.
The new requirements come as the city is undergoing a record crime epidemic.
Philadelphia recently surpassed the city’s all-time murder record, which was set in 1990.
The city will likely end the year with around 550 homicides, soaring past the previous highest total of 500.