3 days after mandate reinstated: Wearing masks again not required in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has lifted its indoor mask mandate, city health officials said Friday, abruptly reversing course just days after people in the city had to start wearing masks again amid a sharp increase in infections.

In an announcement, the Department of Public Health said residents and visitors are strongly encouraged, but not required, to wear a mask in indoor public spaces.

The Board of Health voted Thursday to rescind the mandate, according to the health department, which released a statement that cited "decreasing hospitalizations and a leveling of case counts."

The mandate went into effect Monday. Philadelphia had ended its earlier indoor mask mandate March 2.