Philadelphia to require vaccine proof for indoor dining

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to dine indoors at bars, restaurants, indoor sporting events and other food-related establishments starting Jan. 3, city and public health officials announced Monday.

Public Health Director Cheryl Bettigole said Philadelphia has seen infection rates double in the last few weeks and hospitalizations increase by about 50%.

With colder weather driving people indoors and more holiday gatherings expected, Bettigole and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said the proof of vaccination mandate is meant to decrease the chance of transmission while preventing a shutdown of indoor dining like the closures in 2020, early in the pandemic.

“I don’t want to close our restaurants or other establishments that serve food. I want them to stay open and operate safely,” Bettigole said.

Philadelphia is among a growing number of cities across the U.S., including Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City, requiring people show proof of vaccination to enter various types of businesses and venues.

Kenney, a Democrat, said he visited New York two weeks ago, where dining and other indoor establishments have required vaccine proof since August, and found the requirements easy to navigate.

“I was in New York two weeks ago and it was not an issue at all. Bring your ID and vaccination card and everything went smoothly,” Kenney said. “That’s why we’re doing this to stop the real serious thing, which would be shutting down.”

Patrons and employees will have to start showing their vaccination cards Jan. 3 to enter establishments where people eat together indoors, including movie theaters and cafes or bars inside larger establishments like stores or hotels.

Bettigole said for the first two weeks of the mandate, patrons will have...