Nearly all of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 mitigation measures will be lifted on Memorial Day.
Shortly after reports leaked out to reporters early Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Tom Wolf and the bipartisan COVID-19 Vaccine Joint Task Force announced all mitigation orders except one relating to masking will be lifted on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31 at 12:01 a.m.
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“The current order requiring Pennsylvanians to wear masks will be lifted when 70 percent of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated. Face coverings are required to be worn indoors and outdoors if you are away from your home. In accordance with the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, fully vaccinated Pennsylvanians are not required to wear a mask during certain activities,” a statement from state health officials said.
Pennsylvania Department of Health data showed the Keystone State had administered first doses of vaccine to 50.6 percent of its entire population as of Tuesday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Pennsylvania ranks fifth among all 50 states for total doses administered.
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The state is also seeing new COVID-19 case numbers decrease.
“We continue to make significant progress in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 and as more Pennsylvania adults get vaccinated and guidance from the CDC evolves, we can continue to move forward with our reopening efforts,” Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam said. “I encourage Pennsylvanians to take the critical steps needed to put this pandemic behind us by getting vaccinated, follow through with both doses if you receive the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, and continue to take steps like masking, frequent hand washing and sanitizing and social distancing.”
State health officials said they will continue to test, track, and “closely monitor” COVID-19 spread in the state as restrictions are lifted.
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“While the restrictions that were put in place at the outset of the pandemic have been a major source of frustration for many Pennsylvanians and businesses, it is the collaborative work of this bipartisan Task Force that is allowing us to finally roll back the restrictions and get back to normal life,” said State Sen. Ryan Aument, a Republican and member of the governor’s task force.
“With millions of Pennsylvanians getting vaccinated, it’s time to plan the transition back to normal,” said State Sen. Art Haywood, a Democrat and member of the govenror’s task force. “Hospitalizations and deaths are down. This action today is a key step forward.”
State Rep. Tim O’Neal, a Republican and task force member, said the lifting of most restrictions will “help grow our economy and assist our small businesses that have sacrificed so much due to COVID-19.”
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The lifting of restrictions are a good sign for businesses for the Memorial Day weekend and as the summer months approach.
Pennsylvania began lifting mitigation measures earlier this year as vaccinations increased. The tightest restrictions for most businesses have already been lifted.
“Over the last year, business owners and employees have adhered to the strictest standards to protect guests and each other. The definitive timeline will allow owners and operators time to plan, but for far too many businesses who shuttered over the last few months, this announcement is too late. As a major economic driver throughout the commonwealth, the hospitality industry needs further support to regain a sense of normalcy to attract its workforce, retain a consistent customer base and meet ever-changing mitigation standards,” said John Longstreet, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association.
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President Joe Biden has stated he hopes normalcy is returning to the nation by July 4.
The governor’s emergency declaration will remain in place for now.
COVID-19 has killed 26,334 Pennsylvanians since last March.
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There are three vaccines that have been found to be safe and effective against COVID-19 currently available in Bucks County and across the state.
All Pennsylvanians ages 16 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. The provider map is available on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call a state health department hot line at 1-877-724-3258.
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