After reporting a sharp rise in coronavirus infections, Philadelphia will become the first major U.S. city to reinstate its indoor mask mandate. On April 18, health inspectors will begin enforcing the mask requirement at city businesses.

Residents are being asked to report establishments that are not adhering to the mask mandate.

It was noted that Philadelphia's previous indoor mask mandate just ended on March 2.

Philadelphia Will Restore Indoor Mask Mandate

Philadelphia became the first major U.S. city to resume its indoor mask requirement after reporting a significant increase in coronavirus infections in the city. From Monday, April 18, all indoor public areas, including shops, restaurants, schools, childcare facilities, and government buildings, will require masks.

Residents are encouraged to report establishments who are not following the mask mandate.

According to Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, the city's health commissioner, confirmed COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 50% in ten days.

Confirmed cases have since grown to around 140 per day, still a fraction of what Philadelphia saw during the omicron outbreak's peak, although hospitalizations have remained low at only 46 people.

Dr. Bettigole noted that it is above the level at which the city's standards require individuals to wear masks indoors. Health officials believe that the highly transmissible BA.2 subvariant of omicron, which has spread swiftly throughout Europe and Asia and has just become prevalent in the U.S., is to blame for the recent rise.

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According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data released last week, Omicron is now responsible for more than 70% of COVID-19 infections in the U.S..

On the other hand, Philadelphia County's COVID level is recorded in CDC website as low, a level at which the agency says that masking can be optional.

It was noted that Philadelphia's previous indoor mask mandate just ended on March 2.

In February and early March, the majority of states and cities repealed their masking mandates, with Hawaii becoming the last American state to repeal its mask requirement on March 25.

What Do Netizens Think of the New Measures?

After Philadelphia Public Health tweeted about the restoration of the indoor mask mandate as cases rise in the city, netizens began posting their opinions regarding the matter.

You can read Philadelphia Public Health's tweet below:

Many netizens who posted their replies to Philadelphia Public Health's tweets seem to disapprove of the restoration of the indoor mask mandate in the city. Others were criticizing the authorities for discontinuing the mandate only to bring it right back.

Meanwhile, a few held that the Philadelphia authorities should also focus on the rampant crimes in the city and not just on COVID-19 measures.

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