No Plans To Resume Color-Coded Coronavirus Phases In PA: Levine

HARRISBURG, PA — There are no plans to bring back the red, yellow and green coronavirus phases that were used in the spring, Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine said Monday.

Levine, speaking during a press briefing with reporters, was responding to a question about the likelihood of additional restrictions being imposed as the state deals with a rapid increase in new COVID-19 cases.

New restrictions are unlikely to be imposed broadly like in the spring, but will rather be more specific to target places and activities known to contribute to the spread of the virus. "We have no plans to go back to red, yellow, green or any schema like that," Levine said.

The news comes as the state continues to experience the highest levels of new cases since the start of the pandemic. There were 4,476 new COVID-19 coronavirus cases reported on Monday and 5,199 on Sunday.

Also over the weekend, 51 new coronavirus deaths were reported in Pennsylvania — 38 new deaths Saturday and 13 on Sunday.

Pennsylvania's color-coded system was introduced in April. The system delineated the operating status of each region during the coronavirus pandemic through early summer.

In the red phase, stay-at-home orders remained in place, large gatherings were banned, restaurants were closed for indoor dining, and only essential travel was permitted. Nonessential businesses were forced to close, as were schools.

In the yellow phase, some restrictions on work and social interaction remained but others were lifted. Gathering sizes remained limited, and gyms were closed.

Most restrictions were eased in the green phase.

Most Pennsylvania counties had entered the green phase by late June.