Pennsylvania governor orders statewide shutdown over COVID-19 News
© WikiMedia (Governor Tom Wolf)
Pennsylvania governor orders statewide shutdown over COVID-19

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf extended his shutdown order on Monday to nonessential businesses in all 67 counties, which began at midnight and will remain in effect for two weeks.

“Ensuring the health and safety of Pennsylvanians is the highest priority as the state grapples with a growing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, and as the virus continues to spread, it is in the best interest of the public to encourage social distancing by closing restaurants and bars temporarily,” Wolf said.

Wolf’s authority to issue a statewide lockdown stems from an amendment to Pennsylvania’s Disease Prevention and Control Law of 1955, introduced to Pennsylvania’s House on March 13. The amendment seeks to give the executive more control over preventing the spread of communicable diseases.

The Department of Community and Economic Development and Department of Housing advised on which businesses need to close:

Non-essential businesses include community and recreation centers; gyms, including yoga, barre and spin facilities; hair salons, nail salons and spas; casinos; concert venues; theaters; bars; sporting event venues and golf courses; retail facilities, including shopping malls and except for pharmacy or other health care facilities within retail operations. Restaurants are urged only to remain open for carry-out and delivery orders.

Business that do not follow the order could face enforcement actions.

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