Reminding the public that the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern, that the U.S. Department of Health has declared COVID-19 creates a public health emergency, and that he has already proclaimed the existence of a disaster emergency throughout the Commonwealth, Governor Wolf today ordered all non life-sustaining businesses, to close effective Saturday.
Exponential Growth of the Coronavirus in Pennsylvania
The ban includes businesses that are not open to public.
Wolf said the prohibition does not apply to virtual or telework operations (e.g., work from home), so long as social distancing and other mitigation measures are followed in such operations.
Life sustaining businesses may remain open, but they must follow, at a minimum, the social distancing practices and other mitigation measures defined by the Centers for Disease Control to protect workers and patrons.
Wolf provided a detailed list of life sustaining businesses.
Wolf said enforcement actions will be taken against non-life sustaining businesses that are out of compliance no later than March 21, 2020, at 12:01 a.m.
Wolf said businesses that offer carry-out, delivery, and drive-through food and beverage service may continue, so long as social distancing and other mitigation measures are employed to protect workers and patrons.
Enforcement actions will be taken against businesses that are out of compliance effective March 21, 2020, at 8 p.m.