What does Pennsylvania’s shutdown mean and what’s affected?
Gov. Tom Wolf extended a shutdown order Monday to the entire state as the number of coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania continues to grow.
The shutdown of nonessential government offices and nonessential business activity is set to begin Tuesday, Wolf said.
How long will the shutdown last?
The shutdown is set to last for 14 days. Wolf’s administration plans to reevaluate in two weeks and expects to decide whether continued mitigation is needed.
What is affected?
The statewide step follows Wolf’s order in recent days in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. In those cases, nonessential businesses were defined as:
- 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
Pharmacies and other health care facilities within retail facilities may remain open. Restaurants are urged to only remain open for carry-out and delivery.
All Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores are scheduled to close 9 p.m. Tuesday for an unspecified amount of time.
What will happen with courthouses?
The state Supreme Court gave president judges in each county authority to close down court facilities and suspend time limits that normally apply to court proceedings.
Centre County President Judge Pamela Ruest did not close the county courthouse as of Monday afternoon.
How many cases are in Pennsylvania?
There were 76 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania as of 7:15 p.m. Monday, according to the state Health Department.
None have been reported in Centre County. The majority have been in four heavily populated southeastern counties — Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery.
What are Centre County municipalities doing?
The Centre County commissioners and the Centre Region Council of Governments issued a disaster declaration Saturday. Bellefonte issued a disaster declaration Monday.
Bellefonte Borough Council canceled its scheduled Monday meeting, while State College Borough Council encourages public participation in a “virtual” council meeting set for 7 p.m. Monday. To register, visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3177233867600479757 .
The State College Area school board postponed its Monday meeting.
What precautions are in place at medical facilities?
Geisinger limited visitors at all its hospitals and clinics, according to a Monday press release. Patients going to a clinic appointment should have only one healthy person accompany them to a visit when necessary.
What will happen with grocery stores?
Grocery stores are defined as “essential,” but some Centre County stores have made changes to hours to restock and sanitize. Giant Food stores, Wegmans, Sam’s Club and Walmart have altered their hours. Weis Market has temporarily shut down its Weis 2 Go online ordering with curbside pickup and home delivery.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 5:36 PM.