Mayor Kenney today unveiled Safer at Home, a plan and executive order outlining the strategy for how Philadelphia will begin to reopen for business when the current Stay-at-Home Order is lifted, which is expected to occur on Friday, June 5, 2020.
On May 22, 2020, Pennsylvania Governor Wolf announced that effective June 5, Philadelphia County will be permitted to ease movement and business restrictions consistent with the “Yellow” phase in his Process to Reopen Pennsylvania.
“Philadelphia must approach the next phase of the COVID-19 epidemic in a way that balances the risks of the virus with the public health risks caused by further social and economic damage from movement and business restrictions,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Our strategy allows economic and social activity to gradually resume in a way that continues to suppress the virus and keep as many Philadelphians as safe and healthy as possible.”
The City will focus efforts on proven strategies that are containing COVID-19 in other countries. These include:
Containment: A combination of rapid case identification, case isolation, contact tracing, and contact quarantine.
Social Distancing: Some businesses and activities that were previously considered non-essential will begin restart based on risk level; a safety checklist of precautions tailored to the specific activity and setting will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as they reopen. Residents are advised that they are “safer at home.”
Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Philadelphia will emphasize protections for disproportionately impacted populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, people in congregate care, and those who are elderly or have chronic medical conditions.
Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley added, “The path forward must be solidly based on science, available evidence about how the virus behaves, and a cautious approach that acknowledges the many things we do not yet know about COVID-19. By focusing on containment, social distancing, and protecting vulnerable populations, we can safely allow some businesses and activities that were considered nonessential during the Stay-at-Home Order to restart.”
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health continues to advise residents that they are “safer at home,” and should only leave to engage in essential activities. This is true for everyone, and even more so for Philadelphians who: are 65 years old or older; have certain health conditions (such as asthma, chronic lung disease, heart conditions, diabetes, severe obesity, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, or a compromised immune system); or live with or care for someone who is 65 years old or older or who has health conditions.
Lower-risk activities permitted to operate within certain parameters during the Safer-at-Home Order (Yellow Phase) include:
Restaurants (including food trucks and walk-up ordering, no dine-in service)
Retail businesses (curbside and delivery are strongly encouraged)
Child care centers
Outdoor youth day camps and recreation
Outdoor parks-related amenities
Office-based businesses (telework still required whenever feasible)
Consumer banking
Automobile sales
Real estate activities
Manufacturing
Warehouse operations
The risk levels of different businesses and activities were assessed based on: the potential for transmission of COVID-19; the number of people who could become infected; and the likelihood of fatalities, considering a number of factors that are outlined in the Safer at Home plan.
Continued Precautions: As they restart, businesses will be required by the Safer-at-Home Order to follow a safety checklist of operations called “Safe Mode” to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Safe Mode includes precautions tailored to the specific activity and setting, but contains eight common elements for any business operating in the City of Philadelphia: 1) Masking; 2) Creating physical barriers; 3) Isolating people who may carry the virus; 4) Creating distance between people; 5) Reducing crowds; 6) Hand washing; 7) Cleaning surfaces; and 8) Communicating with staff and customers. Additional recommendations for different types of businesses and activities are detailed in a separate set of industry-specific guidelines available here. Guidance on outdoor dining will be shared next week.
Employees or customers that want to report possible health and safety violations in the workplace related to COVID-19 can contact 311. Businesses should be aware that violations could result in fines, penalties and license suspension.
