PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — As most U.S. cities have begun rolling back COVID restrictions, Philadelphia has become the first major American city to reinstate mask mandates.
According to officials, the city has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases over the last few weeks.
At a press conference on Monday, City Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole made the announcement, telling reporters that starting April 18, a mandatory indoor mask mandate would go into effect.
The commissioner went on to say that the city has seen a 50% uptick in cases.
Most states across the nation rolled back restrictions after the Center for Disease Control issued new guidance.
Last month, Philadelphia ended its indoor mask mandate only to reissue it.