As of Friday, June 11, 2021, the City of Philadelphia no longer requires mask-wearing for vaccinated people in most indoor settings; outdoor mask wearing requirements have already been lifted in Philadelphia. To clarify, this means that beginning Friday, June 11, 2021, vaccinated individuals can work on construction sites – indoors and outdoors – without wearing masks.
The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) has clarified how current mask requirements apply to construction work:
- Vaccinated individuals can do construction work – indoors and outdoors – without wearing masks.
- Unvaccinated individuals are required to wear masks when doing indoor construction work.
- Mask wearing is strongly recommended, but not required, for unvaccinated individuals working outdoors on construction sites.
Exception: In certain indoor settings, all individuals, including those who have been vaccinated, must continue to wear masks due to ongoing risks. This means that when performing construction activities in these settings, both vaccinated individuals and unvaccinated individuals are required to wear masks. The settings include:
- Health care institutions, including temporary community healthcare events such as vaccine clinics and blood drives
- Congregate facilities such as prisons, shelters, and adult day programs
- Indoor schools, camps, and early childhood education facilities
Mask wearing is also required on public transportation including planes, trains, buses, taxis, and ride share vehicles.
The Department of Licenses and Inspections has further clarified that other COVID restrictions put in place by L&I and the Department of Health during 2020 are no longer in effect. L&I recommends, but does not require, that contractors have at least one trained pandemic safety officer on staff.
