As was expected, the City of Philadelphia has postponed the Green coronavirus re-opening phase, which had been tentatively planned for July 3, after an uptick in new COVID-19 cases was reported in the city late last week. The new tentative date for the beginning of the Green phase, which includes indoor dining at restaurants and re-opening of gyms and fitness centers, is August 1st, according to City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley.

This Friday, the City will allow re-opening of libraries, museums, shopping malls and casinos, as part of a “modified restricted Green phase,” but no food or drinks will be allowed indoors.

Businesses that re-opened on June 26 – barber shops, salons and spas, as well as residential and private swimming pools – will remain open. Outdoor dining at restaurants will also continue to operate. 

Social gatherings of up to 50 people will be allowed outdoors, in compliance with the Safe Mode Guidelines. On Friday, the city has issued a new order requiring masks or facial coverings outdoors (in addition to indoor public places) if you can’t keep safe distance from others.

An additional 142 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The benchmark for transition to the Green phase in the city had been set at 80 cases per day on average.