Philadelphia Again Delays Move to Green Phase,
But There Are Some Exceptions

Marty McCarthy, CPA, CCIFP
Focused on You. Dedicated to Your Success.
July 1, 2020

Philadelphia officials are delaying the planned July 3 move to the green phase of reopening by several weeks after a recent uptick in Covid-19 cases. Some activities, however, will be allowed to restart under the city’s modified green phase. 

“The move delays the start of limited indoor dining and the reopening of gyms and fitness centers, but it permits museums, libraries, casinos, and indoor malls to reopen with restrictions. The move to the full green phase is delayed until at least August 1. City officials will reevaluate its standings on a weekly basis,” said Dr. Thomas Farley, Health Commissioner today.

“Businesses allowed to reopen will be required to follow city guidelines for operation, such as enforcing mask use and social distancing. At casinos, patrons are barred from eating, drinking, or smoking and must be wearing a mask at all times,” explained Farley.

“States across the U.S. are seeing record numbers of positive Covid-19 cases after taking steps to reopen in various capacities. Philadelphia recorded 142 new cases since Monday, an increase from previous weeks,” Farley said. Cases are increasing statewide in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware and are linked to social events, restaurants and bars,” Farley added.

“We think it’s better for us to be cautious now than, like Texas and Florida, open up restaurants and regret it later,” Farley said. “People under 30 years old comprise a larger portion of positive cases in recent weeks due to traveling or visiting the Jersey Shore: 34% of cases now are people under 30, compared to about 20% during the pandemic as a whole. The economy likely won’t fully reopen until there is a vaccine.” Farley is confident that a vaccine will be deployed in 2021. 

"We want to get our economy going as much as we can but we don’t want the virus to surge, so it’s always a tough balancing act and we feel like this is the right decision at this point,” Farley said.

We will continue to update you on new developments. Please visit our  COVID-19 Resource Page  for more alerts.

Feel free to contact any member of our team at (610) 828-1900 (PA) or (732) 341-3893 (NJ) with questions. Rich Higgins, CPA, managing principal – New Jersey office can be contacted at Richard.Higgins@MCC-CPAs.com . I can be reached at Marty.McCarthy@MCC-CPAs.com As always, we are happy to help.
 
Stay safe,
 
Marty McCarthy, CPA, CCIFP
Managing Partner
McCarthy & Company

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