Many local events, activities and programs have been canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Many West Philly businesses, organizations and venues have also announced temporary closings, restrictions or new ways of operating to help slow down the spread of the virus and following Mayor Jim Kenney’s directives.

Here’s a list of canceled or postponed events and closings/changes in operation for local businesses and organizations (check back for updates):

Closings, Changes in Operation

• The Green Tambourine is now offering online music classes for kids and adults.

• VIX Emporium is closed until further notice, but their online shop is open with free local delivery. With Mother’s Day approaching fast (May 10), VIX has been adding many more items to their online shop, now organized in categories like home wares, bath & body, jewelry, stationery & paper, and Philly-themed items. Go here to shop online. Local customers: enter promo code LOCAL to receive free next-day delivery on anything in the shop, within 1 mile.

• Greensgrow West is closed until further notice, but online orders are accepted with pickup at their Kensington (Greensgrow Farms) location. Go here for more info.

• Studio 34 is offering a variety of online (Zoom) yoga classes. Check out their weekly schedule here.

• Renata’s Kitchen is now closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for cleaning and disinfecting. The new hours are: Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Breakfast/brunch and dinner are available for takeout or delivery. Go here for more info.

• Scribe Video Center is offering virtual film screenings, workshops and other programs.

• Penn Museum is closed until further notice. Check out the Museum’s virtual programs and experiences both for kids and families and for adults.

• The Free Library of Philadelphia has launched new Virtual Program Listings, where you can find information on some of your favorite library events now offered online – via Facebook, Instagram, Crowdcast, and Zoom. Programs are being offered for library lovers of all ages, from storytimes to financial workshops to cooking classes and much more. Here’s more info.

• The University City Garden Club’s 2020 Plant Sale will be pre-order/pre-paid with curbside pickup only. The pre-order period will run until April 20th. Pickup of pre-orders will be Saturday, May 2 on Woodland Terrace near the 40th Street Trolley Portal. Order online here or download the flyer here.

• A list of local restaurants/eateries that currently offer takeout/delivery can be found here.

• Crust Vegan Bakery (42nd and Chester) will be closed through at least April 30th. A no contact, pre-order/prepayment only, bake sale will be held on Saturday, April 11 in Manayunk. More info.

• Four Worlds Bakery is open for pickup (from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.) or delivery. The store accepts online orders for their morning bakes on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Go here for more info.  Continue Reading

Penn Medicine’s COVID-19 testing team in West Philadelphia (Photo from Pennmedicine.org)

Penn Medicine has opened its COVID-19 drive-through testing site in West Philadelphia to all people experiencing symptoms of the disease. The site is located in the parking lot at 4122 Market Street and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The site also has a walk-up lane.

The site is open to anyone who is experiencing coronavirus-like symptoms (check here). You do not need to be a Penn Medicine patient and you do not need a referral from a provider to be tested. Those without a referral are encouraged to call Penn Medicine’s toll-free coronavirus hotline at 833-983-1350.  Continue Reading

West Philly-based Mercy Catholic Medical Center – Mercy Philadelphia Campus (former Mercy Philadelphia Hospital), is accepting medical supply donations from the community to support its COVID-19 response.

The hospital is accepting donations for the following unopened items:  Continue Reading

UPDATE (3/20/2020): The City has opened a drive-through testing site in the parking lot of Citizens Bank Park in South Philly. The site is open daily from 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and individuals don’t need a doctor’s referral to receive a test. However, only healthcare workers and people over the age of 50 who are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 are eligible for testing at this site (at least for now). Please read more information here.

(3/18/2020): Penn has opened a COVID-19 drive-through testing site for people whose primary-care physician is within the University of Pennsylvania Health System (Penn Medicine). The exact location of the site hasn’t been revealed. You need a referral from your doctor, who will provide the address of the site. The site offers free testing  – no co-pays or deductibles will be charged.

Here are other free drive-through testing sites around the city, also by referral through their systems:  Continue Reading

As the number of the coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the Philly area has been rapidly growing, and cases of community spread are confirmed, it is important to practice social distancing (among other precautions), whether it’s cancelling meetings, social gatherings and hangouts, or keeping a safe distance from others on the street or while shopping (some grocery stores, like Mariposa Food Co-op, have begun limiting the number of shoppers inside the store at one time).

Here’s what’s happening elsewhere in the neighborhood, according to one West Philly Local reader:  Continue Reading