Governor Tom Wolf orders all ‘non-essential’ businesses closed

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered all non-essential stores, bars and restaurants in the state to temporarily close to help slow the progression of COVID-19.

Bars and restaurants would be limited to take out and delivery.

Businesses considered to be essential to the public, including grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies will be allowed to remain open.

The governor previously limited the declaration to five, highly effected counties: Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware and Allegheny.

“This isn’t a decision I’m making likely at all,” he said during a virtual press conference. “This is a decision I’m making because health experts believe this is the only way to keep our hospitals from being overwhelmed by patients.”

The closures would be effective as of midnight tonight.

The closure would be for two-weeks for businesses considered non-essential, including non-grocery shopping malls, stores, restaurants, bars, gyms, sports venues, hair salons, theaters and similar venues.

The Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce has a webinar scheduled for business leaders on March 19, which will detail some of the state’s efforts to combat the coronavirus and issues related to the impact on non-essential businesses within the state, including assistance that will be available to them.

“We are committed to keeping all Pennsylvanians safe and healthy, and we are taking every measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said DCED Secretary Dennis Davin. “We continue to report new cases of coronavirus every day, and additional steps must be taken to stop the spread. Therefore, we strongly urge non-essential businesses across Pennsylvania to do their part by temporarily closing to help mitigate the spread of this contagious virus.”

The state Turnpike Commission also made an emergency order that it will not accept cash at any of its toll booths beginning at 8 p.m Monday night.

Meanwhile, both Lehigh and Northampton Counties today declared a State of Emergency. The declaration will help the governing bodies better respond to the coronavirus outbreak.

All schools in the state are also closed for two weeks.

Neighboring New York and New Jersey have made similar declarations.