Nonessential businesses in Southwestern Pennsylvania to remain closed under Gov. Wolf’s COVID-19 plan
The Pittsburgh region, including Washington and Greene counties, will remain in a red zone with nonessential businesses closed under Gov. Tom Wolf’s economic reopening plan during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wolf announced Friday that 24 counties in the north-central and northeastern regions of the state will on May 8 move into a yellow zone under his color-coded plan to slowly reopen the economy in select areas.
“We have seen our new case numbers stabilize statewide, and while we still have areas where outbreaks are occurring, we also have many areas that have few or no new cases,” Wolf stated in a news release.
The 24 counties that will move from red to yellow 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.
Wolf said he would work as quickly as possible to reopen the Pittsburgh region, which includes counties, including Greene, with few cases of the virus.
“We’re going to be open as quickly as possible,” he said.
State health Secretary Rachel Levine said Pittsburgh’s population density is one of the “major factors” that can contribute to a significant spread of COVID-19.
“If we let go too soon we haven’t done it the right way,” Wolf said. “Your actions will guide our future.”
Wolf said for the past six weeks state residents have been vigilant in skipping unnecessary trips, washing their hands repeatedly and staying home as much as possible.
“We built a powerful weapon against COVID-19. We know that social distancing works,” he said.
Some restrictions in yellow zones will be eased on work and social interaction, 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.
Southwestern Pennsylvania will remain under a stay-home order until further notice.
On Friday the death toll in Pennsylvania reached 2,354, with the southeastern portion of the state being the hardest hit region. Philadelphia County had 424 COVID-19 deaths since early March while Montgomery County experienced 362 of them. Two people have died from the virus in Washington County, while deaths have been spared in Greene County.
Washington County added one positive case Friday, taking its total to 116, while Greene County remained at 26 cases.
Yellow zone restrictions during COVID-19 pandemic
Work & Congregate Setting Restrictions:
• Telework must continue where feasible
• Businesses with in-person operations must follow business and building safety orders
• Child-care reopens with guidance
• Congregate care and prison restrictions in place
• Schools remain closed for in-person instruction
Social Restrictions
• Stay-at-home order lifted for aggressive mitigation
• Large gatherings of more than 25 people prohibited
• In-person retail allowable; curbside and delivery preferable
• Indoor recreation, health and wellness facilities and personal care services (such as gyms, spas, hair salons, nail salons, barbershops and other entities that provide massage therapy), and all entertainment (such as casinos, theaters) remain closed
• Restaurants and bars limited to carry-out and delivery only; organized sports prohibited
Source: Gov. Tom Wolf administration