Philadelphia is first U.S. big city to reimpose indoor mask rules as COVID rates rise

Alone among major U.S. cities, Philadelphia soon will again require masks indoors at all restaurants, shops, offices, and other indoor public spaces again next week, the city health department announced Monday. Businesses can opt to require proof of vaccination instead of requiring masks.

The mandate takes effect April 18, city health commissioner Cheryl Bettigole said, to give businesses time to adjust, though she encouraged Philadelphians to start wearing masks indoors in public spaces immediately. The move came amid rising COVID-19 cases in recent weeks that triggered the city's metrics to return to masks.

"I sincerely wish we didn't have to do this again," Bettigole said. "I wish this pandemic was over just as much as any of you."