States, cities impose new COVID-19 rules amid winter spike

Philadelphia said it will require proof of vaccination at eateries; Minnesota hospitals ran full-page ads saying they are “heartbroken” and “overwhelmed” as a winter coronavirus spike takes hold and sparks new restrictions that fall short of lockdown.

City officials in Philadelphia said the vaccine rule will take effect on Jan. 3 and apply to any place that sells food or drink for consumption on-site, including movie theaters.

New Yorkers were told to mask up, starting Monday, in places that do not require vaccination for entry as Gov. Kathy Hochul warned of rising infections and hospitalizations.

Also Monday, California officials said they will reinstate a statewide mask mandate because of mounting cases. It will take effect Wednesday and last for a month.

Hospital leaders in Minnesota, which has some of the highest rates of COVID-19 per population in the country, ran newspaper ads across the state pleading with residents to get vaccinated and receive booster shots. They said health care workers are so inundated with COVID-19 patients that they can no longer guarantee rapid treatment for other problems… (Excerpts from the Washington Times)