As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, large public gatherings – 50 people or more – will continue to be banned in Philadelphia until at least through the end of February 2021, according to an announcement today by Mayor Jim Kenney. This decision means that popular outdoor events, like the Broad Street Run, which had been rescheduled for October 4, and the Philadelphia Marathon, currently planned for November 22, as well as Thanksgiving Day and Mummers parades will likely be cancelled.

The School District of Philadelphia is expected to make an announcement about the upcoming school year and whether the buildings will reopen tomorrow.

Philadelphia is currently in a modified Green phase of reopening, which allows social gatherings of up to 50 people outdoors.

After a four-month break, the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) will resume hearings that will be held online until further notice. The first two hearings are scheduled for July 14 and July 15. Following these meetings, ZBA will hold meetings online twice a week through July to hear rescheduled cases.

The proposal to build a five-story “entrepreneur hub” on 53 N. 52nd Street, which was presented to the community last month, will be considered by the ZBA on Wednesday, July 15 at 10 a.m. Members of the public are invited to participate in the meeting via Zoom or by phone (see more info below).  Continue Reading

As of today, libraries and museums in Philadelphia are allowed to reopen, according to the modified Green phase re-opening plan. However, the Free Library of Philadelphia’s 54 branches are not ready to reopen yet, until they are “able to create a safe environment for everyone,” according to today’s announcement by Free Library president and director Siobhan A. Reardon. The library will continue offering virtual programming to the public. Library patrons also have access to digital resources – ebooks, audiobooks, movies, TV, music, over 100 databases, and the New York Times online.

Library materials pickup and returns will soon be available at limited locations. All service updates will be posted on the Free Library’s COVID-19 resource page as they become available. Also, visit the Free Library’s blog for more information on available programs, services, and resources.

The School District of Philadelphia is working on a school reopening plan for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year and will be hosting several one-hour Virtual Town Hall sessions from Tuesday, July 7 to Thursday, July 9. Students, parents/caregivers and community members are encouraged to participate and provide feedback.

Sessions will be hosted by a District leader and focus on a key planning area such as health and safety, cleaning practices, school schedules, and curriculum and instruction. Here are the details:  Continue Reading

Small businesses in the state of Pennsylvania that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for a state relief grant. The amount of the grant is between $5,000 and $50,000 depending on the business’ revenue, and applications are accepted until Tuesday, July 14. The annual revenue should be $1,000,000 or less and the number of full-time employees should be less than or equal to 25 to be eligible to apply.

For more information, including other eligibility requirements, and to apply, please visit the Enterprise Center website.

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.  Continue Reading