What’s reopening Monday in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania

Philadelphia officials have extended the ban on some activities until Jan. 15, saying that they anticipate a spike in coronavirus cases from Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Jamie Promislo, owner of Revel Ride, an indoor cycle studio in Philadelphia, took her classes virtual amid Philadelphia’s COVID-19 restrictions. Gyms are among facilities that will be reopening in Philadelphia and around Pennsylvania on Monday under revised restrictions that include operating at 50% capacity.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer

by Bethany Ao

Published Jan. 3, 2021, 9:05 a.m. ET

Restaurants in most of the state will be allowed to resume indoor dining and gyms throughout Pennsylvania can reopen starting Monday, according to Gov. Tom Wolf, who said that the restrictions reinstated Dec. 12 had successfully flattened the COVID-19 curve.

“Our mitigation efforts over the past several weeks are working, and I thank everyone who abided by the restrictions put in place to protect us,” Wolf said in a news release. “Every time we make a small decision to avoid risk — or take steps to make our actions a little bit less risky — we are helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.”

However, Philadelphia officials have extended the ban on some activities until Jan. 15, saying they anticipate a spike in coronavirus cases from Christmas and New Year’s Day. All of the regulations are subject to change depending on case numbers, said city Health Commissioner Thomas Farley.

Here are the details on which businesses will be reopening on Monday:

Indoor dining

Indoor dining won’t be allowed in Philadelphia just yet as city leaders have pushed back the expiration date of COVID-19 restrictions another two weeks.

The end date for the ban on indoor dining is set to expire on Jan. 15.

Outside of Philadelphia, indoor dining will be allowed at self-certified restaurants at 50% capacity, while restaurants that have not been self-certified are allowed to have indoor dining at 25% capacity. Customers can only drink alcoholic beverages at a bar or a restaurant if it is part of a meal, and restaurants have to stop serving alcohol by 11 p.m.

Gyms

Gyms, which closed for nearly a month in December as cases continued to increase in the city, will be reopening in Philadelphia and around the state on Monday under revised COVID-19 restrictions. They will be allowed to have five people present per 1,000 square feet, who must wear masks the whole time, and the state government is encouraging appointments and an emphasis on outdoor activities.

Hair salons and barbershops

Any personal-care services, including hair salons and barbershops, must operate at 50% capacity, including in Philadelphia. Customers must make appointments, according to state regulations.

Entertainment

Philly museums and casinos will be allowed to reopen on Jan. 4, but theaters have to wait until Jan. 15. Indoor gatherings will also continue to be banned until Jan. 15.

Casinos, theaters, and museums outside of Philadelphia will be allowed to reopen at 50% occupancy starting Monday.

In-person sports

Outdoor sports can resume Jan. 4, according to both state and city regulations. In-person sports will continue to be banned until Jan. 15 in Philadelphia.

In-person education

High schools in Philadelphia can resume in-person teaching, but colleges will have to hold off until Jan. 15. Schools in the rest of the state are subject to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and commonwealth guidance or must offer only fully remote instruction.