PHILADELPHIA, (AP) – Philadelphia has withdrawn its mandate for facial masks. This abruptly reversed the course taken by city health officials Thursday night. The announcement came just days after residents of Philadelphia were forced to wear masks again due to an increase in infections.
According to the Philadelphia Department of Health (which issued a statement stating that the mandate was being canceled by the health council, the statement noted that the mandate had been “reduced hospitalizations” and “leveled the case count”.
Monday marked the end of the mandate. Philadelphia ended its mandate regarding face masks in March.
Although the Ministry of Health has not provided data to support its decision regarding masking, it stated that more information would be available on Friday. Philadelphia was the first major U.S. city to reinstate the mandate for face masks. But it also faced a strong legal fight to remove the mandate.
The health ministry stated in a statement that “the municipality will continue to warmly recommend the use of masks indoors public spaces, contrary the mandate on masks.”
The date of cancellation was not provided by the municipality.
