While many restaurant owners are breathing a sigh of relief now that the vaccine mandate for indoor dining has been dropped, some plan to continue enforcing it. PHILADELPHIA - City officials announced an end to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for indoor dining, but not all restaurants are on board.
COVID-19 cases continue to drop, leading city health officials to roll back the mandate. Masks will still be mandated and customers can now leave their vaccine cards in their wallets.
One restaurant owner told FOX 29 they still want to see vaccine cards, while another is breathing a sigh of relief. "I was actually happy about it," Debbie Betten, the owner of Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse in Northeast Philadelphia, said. "It's been a rollercoaster for everybody trying to keep up with restrictions and mandates." While masks are required at the popular barbecue spot, O'Neal's Pub in South Philadelphia has opted to keep the vaccine mandate instead of requiring masks for all.
Owner Greg "Spoonie" Rand said vaccine enforcement has gone much smoother. "When they read the sign, they come in with vax cards and IDs ready to go.