Philadelphia recommends masks in public indoor spaces as COVID-19 cases flare

Philadelphians may soon have to wear masks inside public spaces again as the pandemic resurfaces in the city, where COVID-19 infections have spiked recently.

Philadelphia and other parts of the country, mostly in the Northeast, are seeing an increase in coronavirus cases as the Omicron BA.2 subvariant becomes the dominant strain. Overseas, the U.K. hit a record of nearly 5 million new cases last week. 

"Based on what we've seen in Europe, we could see another COVID-19 wave sooner than later," Cheryl Bettigole, the city's health commissioner, said Monday in a statement. "It's not required yet, but Philadelphians should strongly consider wearing a mask while in public indoor spaces," the physician added.