Philadelphia will complete the mask mandate within a few days of its restoration

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia is ending its mandate of indoor masks, city health officials said Thursday night, abruptly changing course a few days after city residents again had to wear masks amid a sharp rise in infections.

The Health Council on Thursday backed the abolition of the mandate, according to the Philadelphia Department of Health, which issued a statement referring to “reducing hospitalization and counting cases.”

The mandate went into effect on Monday.