Chloe Ramirez
As of January 3, 2022, Philadelphia implemented a vaccine mandate requiring proof of vaccination to enter indoor dining establishments, bars, sports venues, movie theatres, bowling alleys, and casinos. This mandate aims to curb the spread of COVID-19, particularly the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Patrons must show their vaccination card and a form of government ID, with photos of vaccination cards also accepted. Multiple options are available for digital documentation, such as the MyChart app, Google Drive, and the Health Wallet app for iPhone users.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Locations where proof of vaccination is required | Indoor restaurants and bars, sports venues, movie theaters, bowling alleys, casinos, and other indoor venues |
| Vaccines accepted | Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, or any vaccine listed for emergency use by the WHO |
| Number of doses required | Two doses for Pfizer and Moderna, one dose for Johnson & Johnson |
| Accepted forms of proof | Vaccination card, digital documentation (e.g., MyChart app), photo of vaccination card, vaccine passport app |
| Additional requirements | Government-issued ID |
| Exemptions | Religious, medical, children under 5 years and 3 months (varies by venue) |
| Temporary acceptance of negative COVID-19 test | Accepted within 24 hours of entry from Jan 3 to Jan 17, 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Proof of vaccination for indoor dining
As of January 3, 2022, Philadelphia has implemented a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for indoor dining. This means that patrons must show proof of vaccination to enter any restaurant, bar, or venue where food or drinks are served. This includes sports venues, casinos, and movie theatres. The mandate does not apply to grocery stores, convenience stores, or businesses that primarily sell food and drink for off-site consumption. It also does not apply to those with valid religious or medical exemptions and children under five years and three months.
There are a few ways to provide proof of vaccination in Philadelphia. The easiest way is to carry your paper vaccination card, which contains the records of each dose you have received. However, these cards are too big to fit into a standard wallet and can be easily misplaced or damaged. To keep your vaccination card safe, some people have placed them inside plastic sleeves, as they should not be laminated. You can also use a photo of your vaccination card, a vaccine passport app, or a digital file accessed through the MyChart app.
For the first two weeks of the mandate, from January 3 to January 17, food businesses could accept a negative COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours from those who were not fully vaccinated. After January 17, negative COVID-19 tests were no longer accepted, and everyone was required to be fully vaccinated to enter indoor dining establishments. This mandate applies to both patrons and employees at these establishments.
The indoor dining vaccine mandate requires individuals to have received two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This mandate was implemented to help prevent another shutdown of indoor dining and curb the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Philadelphia joined other cities like New York City and San Francisco in requiring proof of vaccination for indoor dining.
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Accepted forms of proof
As of January 3, 2022, Philadelphia has mandated that guests show proof of vaccination at any establishment where food or drinks are served. This includes bars, restaurants, sports venues, casinos, movie theatres, and anywhere else with on-site dining. Patrons also have to show a form of government ID.
Vaccination Card
The most straightforward way to prove vaccination is to carry the paper vaccination card that contains the record of each dose received. However, these cards are too big to fit into a standard wallet and can be easily misplaced or damaged. It is recommended to place the card inside a plastic sleeve, as it should not be laminated. Carrying a physical copy alongside a form of identification, such as a driver's license, can make the verification process easier.
Digital Documentation
Multiple medical providers in Philadelphia use MyChart as an online hub for patients to access their records, including immunization details. The MyChart app allows users to access their electronic health records and share/export their documentation to their phones. iPhone users can export the information to the Health Wallet app.
Photo of Vaccination Card
A photo of the vaccination card on a mobile phone is also accepted as proof. iPhone users can use the Notes app to scan the card, while Android users can use Google Drive to scan and save the card as a searchable PDF file.
It is important to note that Philadelphia's mandate includes standard exemptions for religious and medical reasons, and establishments are required to check for vaccine status.
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Venues requiring proof of vaccination
As of January 3, 2022, Philadelphia has implemented a vaccine mandate requiring guests to show proof of vaccination at indoor restaurants, bars, sports venues, movie theatres, bowling alleys, and casinos. This mandate includes employees and children ages 5 and above. The Wells Fargo Center, which has hosted events such as Flyers and Sixers games and a Harry Styles concert, also requires proof of vaccination for entry.
The easiest way to provide proof of vaccination is to carry the physical vaccination card. However, this card is too big to fit into a standard wallet and can be easily lost or damaged. Hence, it is recommended to place the card inside a plastic sleeve and carry it with a driver's license, identification card, or passport. Alternatively, you can use the MyChart app, which allows you to access your digital medical files, including immunization records. iPhone users can export this information to the Health Wallet app, while Android users can use Google Drive to scan and save their vaccine cards as searchable PDF files.
For the initial two weeks of the mandate, from January 3 to January 17, unvaccinated individuals could enter indoor dining establishments by providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test from the previous 24 hours. After January 17, negative COVID-19 tests are no longer accepted, and full vaccination is required for entry. This mandate does not apply to grocery stores, convenience stores, or businesses that primarily sell food and drinks for off-site consumption. It also excludes individuals with valid religious or medical exemptions and children under the age of five.
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Exemptions
As of January 2022, Philadelphia has mandated that all patrons over the age of five must display proof of vaccination to enter indoor dining establishments, bars, sports venues, movie theatres, bowling alleys, and other locales. This mandate includes employees at these establishments. However, there are certain exemptions to this rule.
The mandate does not apply to schools, daycares, hospitals, and grocery stores. Additionally, it includes standard exemptions for religious and medical reasons. Those who are exempt from vaccination for medical or religious reasons may be required to undergo regular testing as an alternative. This is known as a "test-out" option.
When it comes to employment, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has stated that employers can require their employees to be vaccinated unless they are exempt under the Americans with Disabilities Act (medical exemptions) or Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (religious exemptions). In Philadelphia, city workers must complete a full schedule of COVID-19 vaccinations or risk losing their jobs. However, there is a process to apply for medical or religious exemptions. Employees can fill out a form describing the requested exemption and the reasons it should be granted. Religious exemptions will be granted to employees with verifiable, sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, or practices that conflict with getting vaccinated, absent undue hardship.
It is important to note that the specific exemptions and requirements may vary depending on the specific establishment or organization in Philadelphia. Additionally, the requirements and exemptions may have changed or evolved since the initial implementation of the vaccine mandate. Therefore, it is always advisable to check with the relevant authorities or organizations for the most up-to-date information.
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Children's vaccination requirements
Philadelphia has a vaccine mandate in place, requiring everyone to show documentation of their COVID-19 vaccination status before dining indoors, going to the movies, and attending events at some arenas and venues. This includes children aged 5 years and 3 months through 11, who are required to have one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by January 3 and to complete their vaccine series by February 3.
There are multiple ways to provide proof of vaccination in Philadelphia. The most straightforward way is to carry the paper vaccination card that records each dose received. However, these cards are too big to fit into a standard wallet and can be easily lost or damaged, so it is recommended to keep them in a plastic sleeve for safety. As an alternative, photos of vaccination cards are also accepted as proof, and digital documentation can be accessed through the MyChart app.
In addition to COVID-19 vaccination requirements, there are also general childhood vaccination mandates in Philadelphia. For instance, children aged 6 months to 5 years old who attend any group childcare facility in Philadelphia must receive a yearly dose of the flu vaccine. Furthermore, there is a PA State Law (PA Code 27.77) that requires children to be vaccinated before attending childcare group settings. On the first day of childcare attendance, all children aged 2 months and older must have received the necessary vaccinations. If a child is not vaccinated, the family must provide written documentation of their medical, religious, or philosophical exemption, and the childcare centre must keep written records of previous vaccinations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you must show proof of vaccination to enter any establishment in Philadelphia where food or drinks are served. This includes bars, restaurants, sports venues, casinos, and movie theatres.
Yes, you must also show proof of vaccination before attending events at some arenas and venues, such as Wells Fargo Center, where the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers play.
You can show your paper vaccination card or a digital copy of your vaccination record. A photo of your vaccination card on your phone is also acceptable.
Yes, establishments that primarily sell food and drink for off-site consumption, such as grocery stores and convenience stores, are exempt from the mandate. The mandate also does not apply to those with valid religious or medical exemptions and children under five years and three months.
