Gov. Tom Wolf orders all Pennsylvania businesses that aren’t ‘life-sustaining’ to close, will enforce order
by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA, Updated: 8 minutes ago
Gov. Tom Wolf has announced that all but “life-sustaining†businesses in Pennsylvania must shut down by 8 p.m. Thursday as the novel coronavirus continues to spread.
The governor had previously asked nonessential businesses such as salons, gyms, theaters, and entertainment venues to close. Under the new order, only businesses deemed critical may continue physical operations. Those include grocery stores, gas stations, farms, and transit systems, according to the Wolf administration.
The order applies to the city of Philadelphia, which previously had been allowed to impose and enforce its own restrictions.
"To protect the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians, we need to take more aggressive mitigation actions,†Wolf said in a statement. “This virus is an invisible danger that could be present everywhere. We need to act with the strength we use against any other severe threat. And, we need to act now before the illness spreads more widely.â€
The order takes effect immediately and will remain in place “until further notice.â€
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https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/pennsylvania-shutdown-lifesustaining-businesses-tom-wolf-shut-down-20200319.html
