COVID-19 Info for Greater Philadelphia

COVID-19 Travel Summary

Last updated August 16, 2022

Getting out and about in Philadelphia and the Countryside? Start here for a regularly updated at-a-glance look at what’s open. Please contact specific destinations for detailed information to plan your visit.

Led by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and its four surrounding counties — Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery — have transitioned into a new period of COVID-19 recovery.

That means, with health and well-being still a top priority, residents and visitors can enjoy things to do in Greater Philadelphia with evolved guidelines and safety measures. As of August 4, 2022:

• The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is aligned with CDC guidelines that allow fully vaccinated people to resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial regulations, including local business and workplace guidelines.
• The City of Philadelphia, as of April 22, 2022, strongly encourages residents and visitors to wear a mask in indoor public spaces. Though there are no mask-wearing or proof-of-vaccination requirements, individual businesses may require either or both.

VISIT PHILADELPHIA is united with public health agencies, government and elected officials, industry colleagues and you — the Greater Philadelphia community and our visitors — to support visitors, residents and employees throughout Philadelphia and the Countryside.

Read on for more information about health and safety and how to visit Philadelphia and the Countryside now.

How to Navigate Visiting Now

In Pennsylvania, COVID-19 mitigation orders have been lifted for fully vaccinated people. That means all businesses, events and venues have returned to 100 percent capacity with restrictions and any additional requirements put in place by local businesses. That includes Philadelphia.

While we navigate a “new normal,” getting out and about in Philadelphia and the Countryside can raise lots of questions. Your best bet: Plan ahead by checking online or calling before visiting to see what experiences to expect.

Looking for more help in planning things to do in Philly? Call the Independence Visitor Center to speak with a visitor experience expert at 800-537-7676. They’ll help you navigate all the great things you can do right now in Greater Philadelphia.

Below, check out our tips on how to navigate visiting Philadelphia now.

Guidelines & Masks

• Do I need to quarantine if I’m visiting from out of state? No. As of March 1, 2021, the travel order requiring testing and quarantine is no longer in effect. Travelers should still practice public health measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 such as mask-wearing, distancing and hand-washing. Read more here.
• Do I need to plan ahead? Yes! For the best experience, planning your excursion ahead of time is key. Each business and destination will have slightly different guidelines.
• What phase of reopening is Greater Philadelphia in now? As of June 2021, restaurants, museums, gyms, salons, outdoor events and other recreational activities are open in all five counties of Greater Philadelphia.
• Do I need my vaccine card or a photo of my vaccine card? Potentially. Proof of vaccination is not required in Philadelphia and the Countryside, but may continue to exist at individual businesses. Patrons should check with each business individually to know what to expect.
• Is mask-wearing mandatory? The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is aligned with CDC guidelines that allow fully vaccinated people to resume activities without wearing a mask, except where required by additional local guidelines. As of April 22, 2022, masks are not required in Philadelphia, though city officials strongly recommend mask-wearing at indoor public spaces in the city.

Staying Over

• What is it like staying in a Philadelphia hotel right now? Hotels in the region are accepting guests now that they’ve made numerous safety adjustments to ensure visitors feel and stay safe. Many hotels are offering deals now, too, so check with individual properties to see what’s of the moment.

Socially distanced outdoor dining at Headhouse Square.   — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

Airport Info & Testing

• Can I get a COVID-19 test at the airport? Yes, Jefferson Health, Ambulnz and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) launched a COVID-19 testing program for travelers, operating from the pre-security area of PHL Terminal E (to the left of the Terminal E security checkpoint). The COVID-19 testing program is designed for asymptomatic passengers flying out of PHL, with multiple testing options, including an antigen test, a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, and a Rapid PCR test.
• Where can I learn about destination-specific travel info? Your best bet is to check directly with your airline for all destination-specific travel requirements.
• Are masks required on airplanes at the Philadelphia International Airport? As of April 19, 2022, masks are now optional inside planes at Philadelphia International Airport.

Dining Out

• • What’s it like to dine out in Greater Philadelphia now? Indoor and outdoor dining are open. As of April 22, 2022, masks are not required in Philadelphia, though city officials strongly recommend mask-wearing at indoor public spaces in the city. Select businesses may still require masks and/or proof of vaccination; patrons should check with each restaurant individually to know what to expect.
  • Do I need a reservation to dine at a Philadelphia restaurant? Reservations are definitely recommended to ensure the dining experience you’re seeking will be available, especially when planning to dine indoors. Check OpenTable, Resy, or Tock for Philadelphia reservations or call the restaurant directly to book.
  • Can I just get a drink at a restaurant? Yes. As of June 2021, restaurants may resume bar service without the purchase of food.
  • What’s outdoor dining like in Philadelphia? Restaurants and bars have more capacity to seat and serve guests outdoors on their patios, sidewalks, and new “streeteries” (i.e. parking spots converted into outdoor seating). Many spots have created cool expanded outdoor dining setups to continue to serve patrons who prefer to dine outdoors.
  • How many people can sit at a table together when dining indoors versus outdoors in Philadelphia? As of June 2021, capacity restrictions have been lifted at restaurants.
  • What time is last call? As of June 11, 2021, last-call restrictions have been lifted. Note that many restaurants stop serving at their own discretion. Additional restrictions have been lifted outside of Philadelphia that extend the last call time.

  — Photo courtesy the Barnes Foundation

Visiting Museums, Attractions, Shops & More

• What is it like to visit a Greater Philadelphia museum or attraction now? Outdoor attractions like parks and gardens are open. Indoor museums and attractions are open, too. As of April 22, 2022, masks are not required in Philadelphia, though city officials strongly recommend mask-wearing at indoor public spaces in the city. Select attractions may still require masks and/or proof of vaccination; patrons should check with each attraction individually to know what to expect.
• Are retail shops and shopping malls open? Yes, indoor malls and retailers are open at full capacity. Note that customers in Philadelphia may be required to wear masks or show proof of vaccination at individual businesses.
• Are casinos, live theaters and movie theaters open in Pennsylvania? Indoor entertainment and performance venues like casinos, movie theaters and live theaters are open and serving visitors with safety as the top priority. As of April 22, 2022, masks are not required in Philadelphia, though city officials strongly recommend mask-wearing at indoor public spaces in the city. Proof of vaccination is not required by the city, but may continue to exist at individual businesses; patrons should check with each business individually to know what to expect.

Getting Around

• What’s riding public transportation like now? The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) serves Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties with public transportation via subway, bus and regional rail. SEPTA has a comprehensive guide to reopening phases that outlines what riders can expect on various kinds of public transit. In this phase of reopening, SEPTA operates a regular schedule for transit and a modified schedule on Regional Rail, with other modifications as needed. Note, too, that Regional Rail paper ticket sales ended October 2, 2020, so a SEPTA Key Card with money loaded in the Travel Wallet is the way to pay your fare.
• Is mask-wearing mandatory on public transportation? Mask-wearing is optional on public transit in Philadelphia as of April 22, 2022.
• Are taxis and rideshares available? Yes, taxis and rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) are available in the region. Planning ahead to schedule a taxi or rideshare car is highly recommended since drivers and services may be limited right now.

Remember, planning ahead will always be your best bet to ensure a great experience. When in doubt about things to do in the region, call ahead or call the Independence Visitor Center to speak with a visitor experience expert at 800-537-7676.

  — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

Philadelphia

While proof of vaccination and mask-wearing are no longer required in Philadelphia, individual businesses in Philadelphia and the Countryside may require them, and the City of Philadelphia strongly recommends mask-wearing in indoor public spaces. Advance tickets or reservations remain recommended or necessary at many spots. Patrons should check with each business individually to know what to expect.

  — Photo by B. Krist for Visit Philadelphia

Bucks, Chester, Delaware & Montgomery Counties

In the Philadelphia Countryside (Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties), guidelines follow those set out by The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which are aligned with CDC guidelines that allow fully vaccinated people to resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial regulations, including local business and workplace guidelines.

Note that information and guidelines can change quickly. Visit each county’s health department website for the most current information and, when in doubt, call ahead to your destination:

• Bucks County
• Chester County
• Delaware County
• Montgomery County

More information on guidelines are available from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf by clicking the button below.

LEARN MORE FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Peddler's Village   — Photo by Melinda Triantos

More COVID-19 Resources

The City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health recommends these best practices to support our community.

International travelers looking for more info on visiting Philadelphia and the Countryside can find great travel info on the Travel to Philly website.

Those flying into Philadelphia International Airport and nearby regional airports should check the latest alerts from the federal government:

• Centers for Disease Control Travel Advisory
• Federal Aviation Administration Travel Advisory