As Gov. Tom Wolf promised a few weeks ago, Memorial Day is marking the lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions. For the first time since March 2020, there will be no limits on capacity or distancing in Pennsylvania’s restaurants, business, offices or other venues such as bars, stores, salons, gyms, theaters or nightclubs.
This means all businesses can open their doors to as many people as they prefer at 100% capacity, and crowd-size restrictions will be lifted on all indoor and outdoor gatherings.
“All COVID-19 restrictions related to gatherings, restaurants, and other businesses will be lifted,” Governor Tom Wolf tweeted when the changes to the mitigations orders were announced.
It's an exciting day in Pennsylvania: COVID-19 mitigation orders have now been lifted.
Thank you to each and every Pennsylvanian who did their part to get us here.
This milestone is possible because of you. pic.twitter.com/KHIUtDNErk
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) May 31, 2021
As reported by ellwoodcityledger.com, cleaning, sanitizing, and distancing mandates for business owners will also be lifted, though the Department of Health encourages all to follow CDC guidance. Schools will no longer need to report their coronavirus prevention measures to the state either.
The Department of Health also said in mid-May that fully vaccinated Pennsylvanians could stop wearing masks indoors “in most situations.” That was in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that still requires masks restrictions in public transit and health care facilities like nursing homes.
Mask mandates remain
The current order requiring masks for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals will be operative until June 28 or when 70 percent of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older get their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, whichever comes first.
This week, Pennsylvania became the 10th state to have 70% of its adults vaccinated with at least one dose.
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Gov. Wolf stressed the importance of following the steps of the vaccination process. “As we lift mitigation orders, it is important for eligible Pennsylvanians to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” Wolf said. “Getting vaccinated is our best defense against this virus and ensuring individuals and their loved ones remain safe as we reopen Pennsylvania.”
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