Starting this Friday (May 21), fully vaccinated Philadelphia residents will no longer be required to wear masks outside, including in crowded places, according to an announcement by the City’s acting Health Commissioner, Dr. Cheryl Bettigole. Those who are not fully vaccinated are still advised to wear masks in crowded places, like outdoor restaurants and sporting events.

The indoor mask mandate will remain in place until at least June 11, when the city is expected to lift all capacity-related COVID restrictions. Health officials will review COVID numbers in the city and decide whether indoor masks for vaccinated people can be eliminated on the week of June 6.

Just a reminder that some COVID restrictions in Philadelphia will be eased this Friday (read more here).

SEPTA is ending vehicle capacity restrictions imposed at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Beginning Tuesday, June 1, there will be no limits on the number of riders on all SEPTA vehicles.

The decision to lift vehicle capacity restrictions was made due to the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Philadelphia region, as more people are getting vaccinated, and the recent decision by Philadelphia authorities to ease indoor capacity-related restrictions.

SEPTA customers will still be required to wear face masks on all vehicles and in stations.

Philadelphia will likely (almost assuredly) elect its district attorney for the next four years on Tuesday.

Incumbent Larry Krasner, a former defense attorney who won in 2017 on a reform agenda, faces former prosecutor Carlos Vega in the Democratic primary. Attorney Charles Peruto Jr. is running unopposed in the GOP primary. The winner of each primary will contest the general election on Nov. 2. Pennsylvania has closed primaries, so you will only be able to vote for candidates from the party for which you are registered. Philadelphia has not elected a Republican district attorney since 1986 (Ron Castille). Continue Reading

Streets Department crews are set to begin repaving five major thoroughfares in Philadelphia this week, including some streets in West Philadelphia. The work is scheduled to begin on Tuesday night, May 18.

There will be temporary street closures and parking restrictions to accommodate street resurfacing on the following streets:

• Spruce Street from 63rd Street to South Street/Convention Avenue
• 34th Street from Walnut Street to Spruce Street
• Presidential Blvd/Neil Dr/Falls Road from City Avenue to Falls Bridge
• MLK Drive from Falls Bridge to Art Museum
• Windrim Avenue from Wayne Avenue to Fisher Avenue

The resurfacing work for these streets is expected to be completed by mid-June. During the work, residents should expect parking restrictions – temporary ‘No Parking’ signs will be posted in advance of each scheduled activity.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is teaming up with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Black Doctors COVID Consortium to offer school students (ages 16 and older) a two-dose Pfizer vaccine beginning this Friday, May 14 at four locations throughout Philadelphia. West Philadelphia students have an opportunity to receive the first dose of the vaccine at the University of the Sciences (USciences) on Tuesday, May 18.

Registration is required and students can register themselves. They also do not need to be accompanied by an adult for their vaccine appointment. Continue Reading

The first Day of Remembrance of the MOVE bombing, including a march to Malcolm X. Park, will be held on Thursday, May 13. The march marks the 36th anniversary of the bombing, which killed 11 people, including five children, and burned dozens of homes in West Philadelphia.

The MOVE house at 6221 Osage Ave. was the target of the city-sanctioned bombing in 1985. Surviving members and relatives will participate in a MOVE bombing victims commemoration event, which will begin at 5 p.m. at Osage Ave. and Cobbs Creek Parkway. Community members are invited (see the flyer below for more details). Continue Reading