Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney was caught eating indoors at a restaurant in Maryland while residents of his city are forbidden to do the same.
Marc Vetri, a Philadelphia restaurateur, posted a photograph of the Democrat to Instagram with the caption, “Glad you’re enjoying indoor dining with no social distancing or mask wearing in Maryland tonight while restaurants here in Philly close, suffer and fight for every nickel just to survive.”
“I guess all your press briefings and your narrative of unsafe indoor dining don’t apply to you. Thank you for clearing it all up for us tonight,” Vetri added.
Kenney defended the decision to eat indoors by acknowledging that the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland, where he was eating, has a significantly lower rate of COVID-19 infections than Philadelphia. He also apologized to restaurant owners in Philadelphia whom he may have frustrated with his actions.
“I know some are upset that I dined indoors at a restaurant in Maryland yesterday. I felt the risk was low because the county I visited has had fewer than 800 COVID-19 cases, compared to over 33,000 cases in Philadelphia,” Kenney wrote. “Regardless, I understand the frustration.”
“Restaurant owners are among the hardest hit by the pandemic. I’m sorry if my decision hurt those who’ve worked to keep their businesses going under difficult circumstances. Looking forward to reopening indoor dining soon and visiting my favorite spots,” he wrote.
Restaurant owners are among the hardest hit by the pandemic. I’m sorry if my decision hurt those who’ve worked to keep their businesses going under difficult circumstances. Looking forward to reopening indoor dining soon and visiting my favorite spots. https://t.co/Ki3lIZV8i4
— Jim #MaskUpPHL Kenney (@PhillyMayor) August 31, 2020
Restaurants are set to reopen in Philadelphia for indoor dining at 25% capacity on Sept. 8.
