Please note: As of April 15, 2021 we are no longer doing regularly scheduled updates to this page.
April 5, 2021:
The Pennsylvania Department of Health issued an Order that took effect on April 4, 2021 and will remain in effect until further notice. This Order amends certain provisions of the November 23, 2020 Order, including:
- Telework is no longer required;
- Retail businesses, gyms and fitness centers, and personal care services may operate at up to 75% capacity;
- Bars may now offer bar service, no longer have an industry-specific capacity limit, and no longer must cease on-site alcohol consumption by 11:00 p.m.;
- Restaurants may operate at up to 50% capacity, no longer must cease on-site alcohol sales by 10:00 p.m., and customers being served are no longer required to be seated;
- Nightclubs with bar service may now operate at up to 50% capacity; and
- Events and gatherings are now limited to 25% capacity indoors and 50% capacity outdoors.
February 22, 2021:
As of February 17, 2021, 51 Pennsylvania counties are in the “substantial level” of the COVID-19 transmission rate. The State Department of Health is urging Pennsylvanians to download the COVID Alert PA app to aid in contact tracing efforts. Individuals under 19 and over 63 who test positive for COVID-19 may be contacted by one of the state’s more than 200 case investigators and asked to complete a Connect & Protect Form to open a digital case investigation. Thereafter, members of the state’s 325-person contact tracing team will begin the contact tracing process.
The Department of Health is notifying residents that weather conditions may result in delays to scheduled COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam emphasized that the Department is working with vaccine providers and encouraging them to reach out to those registered for the vaccine in the near future to being rescheduling.
January 6, 2021:
The Pennsylvania Department of Health issued an Order, which took effect on January 6, 2020, and will remain in effect until further notice, specifying the categories and order in which Pennsylvania residents are to be vaccinated. This order requires the COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan be followed in administering the vaccine. The Phase IA group listed in the plan includes health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities.
December 7, 2020:
Governor Wolf issued on December 3, 2020, an amendment to the November 23, 2020 Order, regarding the mitigation, enforcement and immunity protections, which took effect immediately. This amendment requires that the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises be accompanied by the sale of a meal. In addition, all sales of alcohol for consumption on the premises must cease by 11:00 p.m. Other provisions of the November 23, 2020 Order remain unchanged.
October 8, 2020:
Governor Wolf issued an executive order amending the previous order Directing Mitigation Measures, which will go into effect on October 9, 2020, and will continue until rescinded or amended in writing. Under this order occupancy calculation rates for indoor and outdoor events for venues with an applicable National Fire Protection Association occupancy limit. For businesses without an applicable fire code limit the occupancy limit is 67 people per 1000 sq. ft. Attendees must adhere to social distancing and the previously issued face mask order.
September 8, 2020:
Governor Tom Wolf announced that restaurants may increase indoor occupancy to 50 percent starting September 21. To ensure that these businesses operate safely as Pennsylvania continues to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and to instill customers and employees with confidence knowing that they can dine safely, restaurants will commit to strictly complying to all public health safety guidelines and orders through a self-certification process. Restaurants that self-certify will appear in the Open & Certified Pennsylvania searchable online database of certified restaurants across the commonwealth. Consumers will be able to access this database and find certified businesses in their area, ensuring that consumers can make more informed choices about the food establishments they are looking to patronize.
The self-certification documents and information about the Open & Certified Pennsylvania program can be found online starting September 21 and will contain the following:
- A list of requirements contained in the current restaurant industry guidance and enforcement efforts;
- A statement that the owner has reviewed and agrees to follow these requirements;
- The business’ maximum indoor occupancy number based on the fire code; and
- A statement that the owner understands that the certification is subject to penalties for unsworn falsification to authorities.
Any restaurant that wishes to increase to 50 percent indoor capacity on September 21 must complete the online self-certification process by October 5. Business owners should keep a copy of the self-certification confirmation they will receive by e-mail. Social distancing, masking, and other mitigation measures must be employed to protect workers and patrons. Further, starting September 21 restaurants that have alcohol sales will close alcohol sales at 10:00 PM.
September 1, 2020:
Governor Tom Wolf signed a second renewal of his 90-day disaster declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic yesterday. He originally signed it March 6 following the announcement of the first two presumptive positive cases of the virus in the commonwealth. The emergency disaster declaration provides for increased support to state agencies involved in the continued response to the virus and recovery for the state during reopening. This includes expediting supply procurement and lifting certain regulations to allow for efficient and effective mitigation.
July 13, 2020:
On July 9, Governor Tom Wolf signed a new executive order that protects homeowners and renters from eviction or foreclosure until Aug. 31, if they have not received assistance from a new program administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) or are not already receiving relief through one of several federal foreclosure moratorium programs or judicial orders. Lenders and property owners that receive funds through the PHFA program agree not pursue foreclosure or eviction actions as a condition of participation in the program.
The governor signed legislation in May providing $150 million for rental assistance and $25 million for mortgage assistance through PHFA with CARES Act funds.
On July 10, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to help reduce unnecessary in-person contact that can spread the virus, Governor Tom Wolf signed an executive order today authorizing state agencies to conduct administrative proceedings remotely. Several state agencies will conduct administrative proceedings including meetings and disciplinary hearings of the 29 occupational licensing boards and commissions under the Department of State.
July 9, 2020:
On July 9, Governor Tom Wolf signed a new executive order that protects homeowners and renters from eviction or foreclosure until Aug. 31, if they have not received assistance from a new program administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) or are not already receiving relief through one of several federal foreclosure moratorium programs or judicial orders. Lenders and property owners that receive funds through the PHFA program agree not pursue foreclosure or eviction actions as a condition of participation in the program.
The governor signed legislation in May providing $150 million for rental assistance and $25 million for mortgage assistance through PHFA with CARES Act funds. PHFA began accepting applications July 6.
July 1, 2020:
On July 1st, Governor Tom Wolf announced a new order signed by Dr. Levine that takes the mask-wearing directive one step further. The order outlines the situations when a mask must be worn and includes limited exceptions to the face-covering requirement. Notably, pursuant to the order, masks must be worn whenever anyone leaves home. The order takes effect immediately. Additionally, the guidance eases restrictions on restaurants to allow up to 50% capacity of establishments to be filled with patrons.
June 29, 2020:
Governor Tom Wolf announced on June 29 that Lebanon County is slated to move to the green phase of reopening on July 3, putting all 67 counties in green. Twelve counties moved to green, joining 54 already in the least restrictive phase of reopening. Additionally, the majority of new cases in Allegheny County are in people age 19-49 with an average age of 27.
Governor Tom Wolf reminded all Pennsylvania residents and businesses that masks are mandatory when visiting a business. The state’s business guidance outlines mask-wearing requirements. The state’s restaurant industry guidance outlines mask-wearing requirements specific to restaurants.
Governor Tom Wolf also announced that beginning June 30 small businesses across Pennsylvania can apply for grants to offset lost revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting shutdown order. The COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance program, announced earlier this month, will provide $225 million in grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to eligible businesses through Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. Beginning tomorrow, June 30, eligible businesses may begin applying for the COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance program here.
June 25, 2020:
Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today signed amended green phase orders for the 12 counties moving to green at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, June 26. The counties include Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia and Susquehanna.
With these orders effective at 12:01 a.m., tomorrow there will be 66 counties in green and one county in yellow.
Philadelphia County met the criteria and will move to the state’s green phase tomorrow; however, local officials will maintain some additional restrictions until July 3. The Wolf Administration has supported specific county requests for more restrictions throughout the phased reopening process. The overall process details can be found here.
June 23, 2020:
Governor Tom Wolf today noted that research confirms the importance of wearing masks to stop the spread of COVID-19 and that Pennsylvanians are required to wear masks when entering any business in all counties in both yellow and green phases of reopening
The mask requirement is part of Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel’s Levine’s order, “Directing Public Health Safety Measures for Businesses Permitted to Maintain In-person Operations,” which pertains to all counties regardless of the phase of reopening. The order requires businesses to enforce mask-wearing unless someone has an underlying health condition that prevents them from wearing a mask. Children two or younger are not required to wear masks. In addition to mask wearing, Gov. Wolf and Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine have advised that robust testing and contact tracing in green counties are keys to safe, phased reopening.
June 16, 2020:
Governor Wolf announced that The School Safety and Security Committee (SSSC) within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has approved the opening of two funding announcements totaling $157.5 million that school entities are immediately eligible to apply for to address COVID-19-related health and safety needs for the 2020-2021 school year. Eligible uses for the funding include the purchase of cleaning and sanitizing products; training and professional development of staff on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases; equipment purchases; modifying existing areas to support appropriate social distancing of students and staff; providing mental health services and supports; purchasing educational technology for distance learning; and other health and safety programs, items or services necessary to address the COVID-19 disaster emergency. Per Act 30 of 2020, passed June 5, school entities are required to apply with PCCD no later than June 30, 2020, to be eligible to receive their funding by July 15, 2020. Intermediate units must apply on behalf of nonpublic schools in their area no later than July 8, 2020, in order to be eligible to receive awards no later than August 1, 2020. Governor Wolf also announced today the availability of $40 million in funding through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support Pennsylvania’s dairy industry and food security programs. Specifically, $15 million will provide an opportunity for dairy farmers to receive direct relief payments and $5 million will reimburse dairy farmers who participate in the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) program by donating excess dairy product to the commonwealth’s charitable food system. Any dairy farm that experienced financial losses due to discarded or displaced milk during the COVID-19 emergency disaster may apply for assistance. Each farm with a documented loss will receive a minimum of $1,500 and an additional prorated share of the remaining funds, not to exceed the actual amount assessed by the handler. The deadline to apply for the Dairy Indemnity Program is September 30, 2020. Also, $15 million will go to the State Food Purchase Program, which provides cash grants to counties for the purchase and distribution of food to low income individuals, and $5 million will go to the PASS program to reimburse the agricultural industry for the costs involved in harvesting, processing, packaging and transporting food that they donate to the charitable food system.
June 15, 2020:
Governor Wolf announced that 12 additional counties—including Adams, Beaver, Carbon, Columbia, Cumberland, Juniata, Mifflin, Northumberland, Union, Wayne, Wyoming and York counties—will be moving to Green Phase effective June 12, 2020. Eight additional counties—including Dauphin, Franklin, Huntingdon, Luzerne, Monroe, Perry, Pike, and Schuylkill counties—will be entering Green Phase at midnight on Friday, June 19. Green Phase eases most restrictions by lifting the stay-at-home and business closure orders to allow the economy to strategically reopen while continuing to prioritize public health. Some restrictions, such as mask-wearing, do remain in place. As of today, there are 46 counties in Green Phase and 12 counties in Yellow Phase.
June 10, 2020:
On Tuesday, June 9, Pennsylvania’s General Assembly passed a concurrent resolution directing Governor Wolf to issue a proclamation or executive order ending his issuance of the March 6 COVID-19 Disaster Emergency, which was renewed on June 3. The Assembly contends that Governor Wolf has no ability to veto the resolution. Wolf’s office declared that the power to terminate the disaster emergency lies solely with the Governor.
Governor Wolf issued a statement that any concurrent resolution needs to come to the Governor for approval or disapproval and distinguishing the disaster declaration from the orders signed by Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine under the Disease Prevention Act that include provisions for business reopening and for worker and building safety, insisting that those orders remain in place and that the legislature did nothing to end them.
June 5, 2020:
Governor Wolf on Friday, June 5 announced that twelve additional counties will move to the green phase of the Process to Reopen Pennsylvania at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 12. Those counties are Adams, Beaver, Carbon, Columbia, Cumberland, Juniata, Mifflin, Northumberland, Union, Wayne, Wyoming, and York.
As of 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 5, every Pennsylvania county is out of the red phase of the reopening plan.
June 4, 2020:
Governor Wolf on Thursday, June 4 signed an amended Order to add ten counties to those moving to the yellow phase of the Process to Reopen Pennsylvania at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 5. The ten counties are Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Northampton, Montgomery, and Philadelphia. Governor Wolf also signed an amended Order adding sixteen counties to the green phase of reopening beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 5. Those counties are Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Clinton, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Indiana, Lycoming, Mercer, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland.
June 3, 2020:
Governor Wolf announced on Wednesday, June 03 that he will allow the amended stay-at-home order to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, June 4. Beginning Friday, June 5, all sixty-seven counties will be either in the yellow or green phase of reopening. Governor Wolf also renewed the ninety-day disaster declaration, which he signed originally on March 6, 2020.
May 29, 2020:
At 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 29, eighteen counties moved to the green phase of the Process to Reopen Pennsylvania. Those counties were Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Montour, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Venango, and Warren. Eight additional counties moved to the yellow phase. Those counties were Dauphin, Franklin, Huntingdon, Lebanon, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, and Schuylkill.
On Friday, May 29, Governor Wolf also announced sixteen more counties will move to the green phase on Friday, June 5. Those Counties will be Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Clinton, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Indiana, Lycoming, Mercer, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland.
May 28, 2020:
At 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 29, eighteen counties will move to the green phase of the Process to Reopen Pennsylvania. Those counties are Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Montour, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Venango, and Warren.
On Wednesday, May 27, Governor Wolf issued guidance on the reopening process for green phase counties along with guidance on dining in green and yellow phase counties, and professional sports operations in yellow phase counties.
Governor Wolf’s administration also announced that the counties that remain in the red phase – Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Northampton, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties – “are expected to move to yellow” by Friday, June 5.
May 26, 2020:
On Friday, May 22, twelve additional counties moved into the yellow phase of the Process to Reopen Pennsylvania. At 12:01 a.m. Friday, Adams, Beaver, Carbon, Columbia, Cumberland, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Wayne, and York counties joined the thirty-seven counties already in the yellow phase.
On Friday, May 22, Governor Wolf amended an executive order regarding the suspension on foreclosures and evictions he previously ordered. The Order as amended clarifies that it only applies to evictions and foreclosures involving nonpayment and proceedings related to removal of any tenant solely because the tenant has held over or exceeded the term of a lease. The Order does not apply to suspend notice requirements relating to evictions for breaches of any other covenants.
May 21, 2020:
On Thursday, May 21, Governor Wolf signed into law House Bill 327, now Act 21 of 2020, which allows for the temporary sale of cocktails-to-go from bars, restaurants, and hotels with a liquor license and that have lost twenty-five percent of average monthly total sales during the COVID-19 emergency. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has published guidance on the law, which took immediate effect.
May 19, 2020:
On Tuesday, May 19, Governor Wolf amended his Executive Order that closed all non-life sustaining businesses to allow for limited business transactions for the real estate industry statewide. Effective immediately, the Order allows for real estate professionals, appraisers, title companies, escrow officers, mortgage loan originators, and the like to commence in-person operations statewide subject to the guidance provided by the Commonwealth.
May 15, 2020:
On Friday, May 15, thirteen additional counties moved into the yellow phase of the Process to Reopen Pennsylvania. At 12:01 a.m. Friday, Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties joined twenty-four counties already in the yellow phase.
Governor Wolf also announced twelve additional counties will move to the yellow phase of reopening at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 22. Those counties are Adams, Beaver, Carbon, Columbia, Cumberland, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Wayne, and York. When these additional twelve counties enter the yellow phase next week, there will be a total of forty-nine counties in the yellow phase. The remaining 18 counties will continue to be in the red phase.
May 8, 2020:
On Friday, May 8, twenty-four counties in Pennsylvania went into the yellow phase of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan. In the yellow phase, some restrictions on work and social interaction are eased while others, such as closures of schools, gyms, and other indoor recreation centers, hair and nail salons, as well as limitations around large gatherings, remain in place. The counties now in the yellow phase are: Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Venango, and Warren.
Governor Wolf also announced that thirteen more counties will move into the yellow phase at 12:01 a.m. Friday, May 15. Those counties are Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland.
May 7, 2020:
On Wednesday, May 6, Governor Wolf issued an executive order that grants significant protections from civil liability to health care practitioners. The order provides immunity to individuals licensed or certified in Pennsylvania to practice a health care profession or occupation and who are engaged in providing COVID-19 medical and health treatment or services during Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 disaster emergency response. The immunity excludes acts or omissions that constitute a crime, gross negligence, or fraud, malice, or other willful misconduct.
The order also extends immunity to those medical professionals in Pennsylvania that provide services in any health care facility as defined by the Health Care Facilities Act, as well as any nursing facility, personal care home, assisted living facility or any alternate care site, community-based testing site or non-congregate care facility used for the purpose of conducting emergency services activities or the provision of disaster services activities related to Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 disaster emergency response. It likewise affirms immunity for persons or entities that allow the use of their real estate or other premises for emergency services without compensation in the case of death, injury, or loss or damage to the property of any person who is on the premises for the purpose of those emergency services.
On Thursday, May 7, Governor Wolf signed an executive order that generally prohibits evictions and foreclosures in Pennsylvanians through July 10.
May 5, 2020:
On Monday May 4, Governor Wolf’s administration updated its guidance for counties in the “yellow phase” of Pennsylvania’s phased reopening plans.
The following counties will enter the yellow phase effective 12:01 a.m. on May 8, 2020: Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Venango, and Warren.
May 1, 2020:
On Friday, May 1, Governor Wolf announced twenty-four counties would begin to reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Friday May, 8. Consistent with the process his office had previously announced, the twenty-four counties in the northwest and north-central regions will move from the red to yellow phase.
On Monday, May 4, the administration will release guidance for businesses permitted to reopen on May 8 in the twenty-four counties. But Governor Wolf’s administration has already announced that telework must continue where feasible and businesses with in-person operations will continue to be required to follow business and building safety orders. While the stay-at-home order will be lifted, restaurants will continue to be limited to carry out and delivery only and indoor recreation, health and wellness facilities and personal care services (like gyms, spas, and hair salons), and all entertainment (such as casinos and theaters) will remain closed.
The counties included are: Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Venango, and Warren.
April 28, 2020:
On Tuesday, April 28, Pennsylvania updated its Industry Operation Guidance with further notes aimed at clarifying what entities may have physical operations.
April 27, 2020:
On Monday, April 27, Governor Wolf announced that starting on Friday, May 1, golf courses, marinas, guided fishing trips and privately owned campgrounds may reopen statewide. These types of businesses must continue to follow the life-sustaining business guidance and FAQ issued by the Wolf Administration.
April 26, 2020:
On Saturday, April 25, Governor Wolf announced that he had updated the reopening metrics in his plan to reopen Pennsylvania. His plan calls for a phased reopening by region after a region meets certain metrics like having fewer than fifty new confirmed cases per 100,000 people in the preceding fourteen days.
April 20, 2020:
On Monday, April 20, Governor Wolf amended his March 19, 2020 order, which closed all businesses that are not life sustaining. The amended order allows online motor vehicle sales to commence and also authorizes the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to commence curbside pickup sales. Both those provisions take effect immediately. Lastly, the order will allow for “limited construction activity” to commence in-person operations on May 8, 2020.
April 16, 2020:
Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine on Wednesday, April 15 signed an order that requires protections for critical workers who are employed at businesses authorized to maintain in-person operations during the COVID-19 disaster emergency. The order, which will become enforceable at 8:00 p.m. on April 19, 2020, mandates numerous social distancing, mitigation, and cleaning protocols. For example, it requires businesses to implement temperature screenings for employees, requires businesses provide and mandate the use of masks while at work, and requires businesses schedule handwashing breaks for employees at least every hour.
April 6, 2020:
On Monday April 6 at 12:01 a.m. the Secretary of the Department of Health’s newly required building safety measures took effect for businesses allowed to remain open under the Commonwealth’s previous order.
April 5, 2020:
On Sunday April 5, the Secretary of the Department of Health issued required building safety measures that take effect at 12:01 a.m. on April 6. Businesses allowed to remain open under the Commonwealth’s previous order must now: (1) clean and disinfect high-touch areas routinely in accordance with CDC guidelines, in spaces that are accessible to customers, tenants, or other individuals; (2) maintain pre-existing cleaning protocols established in the facility for all other areas of the building; (3) ensure that the facility has a sufficient number of employees to perform the above protocols effectively and in a manner that ensures the safety of occupants and employees; and (4) ensure the facility has a sufficient number of security employees to control access, maintain order, and enforce social distancing of at least six feet, provided the security employees are otherwise responsible for such enforcement.
April 2, 2020:
Wednesday, April 1st, the Secretary of the Department of Health instituted a stay at home order for all those residing in the Commonwealth. The order expands the stay at home order previously issued that had applied to residents of thirty three counties within the Commonwealth. The new stay at home order went into effect for residents of the reaming counties at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
The order continues to allow all residents to access, support, and provide emergency or government services or life sustaining business. The stay at home order is in effect through April 30, 2020.
April 1, 2020:
Tuesday, March 31, Governor Wolf again amended the stay at home order he issued to include seven additional counties, Cameron, Crawford, Forest, Franklin, Lawrence, Lebanon, and Somerset. The amended order took effect at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday.
The stay at home order now requires residents of Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Bucks, Butler, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Forest, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, Somerset, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, and York counties to stay at their places of residence except as needed to access, support, or provide emergency or government services or life sustaining business. The stay at home order is in effect through April 30, 2020.
March 31, 2020:
Monday, March 30th, Governor Wolf again amended the state’s stay at home order to extend the order through April 30, 2020. The amended order also adds four additional counties, Carbon, Cumberland, Dauphin, and Schuylkill. The order for those counties took effect at 8:00 p.m. Monday.
The stay at home order now requires residents of Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Bucks, Butler, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, and York counties to stay at their places of residence except as needed to access, support, or provide emergency or government services or life sustaining business.
March 30, 2020:
Saturday, March 28, the Secretary of the Department of Health again amended the state’s stay at home order to include residents of Beaver, Centre, and Washington counties. The order for those three counties took effect March 28 at 8:00 p.m. ET. In addition, the Commonwealth added nine counties to its stay at home order late Friday, March 27, which took effect at 8:00 p.m. that night. Those counties were Berks, Butler, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Luzerne, Pike, Wayne, Westmoreland and York.
The stay at home order now requires residents of Allegheny, Berks, Beaver, Bucks, Butler, Centre, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Pike, Philadelphia, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, and York counties to stay at their places of residence except as needed to access, support, or provide emergency or government services or life sustaining business. Currently, the orders are set to remain in effect until April 6, 2020.
March 26, 2020:
Yesterday, March 25, the Secretary of the Department of Health again amended the state’s stay at home order to include residents of Lehigh and Northampton counties. The order now requires residents of Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, and Philadelphia counties to stay at their places of residence except as needed to access, support, or provide emergency or government services or life sustaining business. The amended order took effect yesterday at 8:00 p.m. ET and will remain in effect until April 6, 2020.
March 25, 2020:
The Pennsylvania Department of Health amended the state’s original stay at home order to include residents of Erie County. The order now requires residents of Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Monroe, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties to stay at their places of residence except as needed to access, support, or provide emergency or government services or life sustaining business. The amended order took effect March 24th at 8:00 p.m. ET and will remain in effect until April 6, 2020.
Governor Wolf also updated the list of life sustaining business types. The updated list provides more notes with clarifications and guidance, including that firearm dealers, which were previously prohibited from physical operations, may operate physical businesses on a limited basis to complete the portions of a sale that must be conducted in-person under the law.
March 24, 2020:
Late in the day on March 23rd, the Secretary of the Department of Health ordered individuals residing in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Monroe, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties to stay at their places of residence except as needed to access, support, or provide emergency or government services or life sustaining business. The order took effect yesterday at 8:00 p.m. ET and will remain in effect until April 6, 2020.
Because it allows for the exception to access, support, or provide life sustaining businesses, the order has no effect on Governor Wolf’s indefinite Executive Order that allows only life sustaining businesses to continue in-person, physical operations. Governor Wolf issued guidance on the stay at home order that addresses many questions.
March 23, 2020:
Governor Wolf issued an indefinite Executive Order that prohibits the operation of businesses that are not “life sustaining.” The order prohibits the operation of any place of business in the Commonwealth that is not a life sustaining business regardless of whether the business is open to members of the public.
The Commonwealth has provided a five page detailed list that tells what types of businesses have been deemed life sustaining, which includes most health care and social assistance, agriculture, food manufacturing, and repair and maintenance businesses. Businesses that have not been deemed life sustaining may seek a waiver by completing and submitting an application. Enforcement of the Order began on Monday, March 23, at 8:00 a.m. ET.