New Coronavirus Rules Issued In PA Impacting Schools, Businesses

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania officials on Monday announced several new rules and restrictions intended to slow the rapidly escalating coronavirus outbreak in the state. The rules include a one-night ban of alcohol sales on Thanksgiving Eve, as well as a stay-at-home advisory.

The new restrictions also include further limits on gathering sizes, as well as new a procedure for school districts that are providing in-person instruction.

"We are in a very dangerous situation," Gov. Tom Wolf said during a Monday afternoon news conference.

Wolf and Health Secretary Rachel Levine outlined the new measures, saying they are needed to prevent overwhelming the state's health care system as coronavirus-related hospitalizations and deaths continue to increase.

The stay-at-home advisory, which is not an order, goes into effect Monday.

As far as the new rules for schools: Districts that are in counties categorized as having "substantial" levels of community spread will need to complete an attestation form that verifies they are following all updated protocols.

Schools that do not sign or comply with an attestation are required to provide only fully remote learning and suspend all extracurricular activities as long as the county remains in the substantial transmission level, according to information from the governor's office.

All large events and gatherings are now reduced "until further notice."

In addition, the retail food services industry — including bars, restaurants and private catered events — must end alcohol sales for on-site consumption at 5 p.m. this Wednesday only. The one-night ban on alcohol sales will be lifted Thursday morning.

Telework for Pennsylvania employees is mandatory "unless impossible," according to the governor's office.

The administration also introduced liability protection for all businesses that maintain in-person operations and are open to the public. "Businesses will receive immunity from civil liability only as related to the Secretary’s masking order given that individuals and entities are engaged in essential emergency services activities and disaster services activities when enforcing the order," Wolf's office said.

On top of the new rules and measures, officials say they will crack down on enforcement of existing mitigation measures, including mask-wearing, business safety, gathering limits and more.

Orders will be enforced through citations and fines, Levine said.

The state health department said it will continue to investigate complaints and that it plans to use additional staff from other state agencies under the governor’s jurisdiction to process those complaints.

"Following a complaint about a business, the Department of Health will send a warning letter informing the business of the potential consequences, including fines and closure if the business is not compliant with the mitigation orders. If a business continues to receive complaints, it risks referral to the Pennsylvania State Police or regulatory agencies, further fines and possible closure," according to information from the governor's office.

Wolf said the new measures are intended to protect public health and "continue to support our fragile economy."

The new restrictions come as nearly 12,000 more positive cases of the COVID-19 virus were reported in Pennsylvania over the weekend as well as 69 new deaths. According to state health officials, there were 4,762 new COVID-19 virus cases reported Saturday and 7,075 new cases reported Sunday.

Pennsylvania has now had 314,401 total coronavirus cases and 9,870 deaths since the onset of the pandemic.

As of Monday morning, 3,379 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. Of that number, 775 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. The trend in the 14-day moving average of number of hospitalized patients per day has increased by nearly 2,100 since the end of September, officials said.

The statewide percent positivity rate for the week of Nov. 13 to 19 was above 11 percent.

This is a developing story that will be updated. Check back