Strict Mitigation Will Expire As Planned On Jan. 4: Gov. Wolf

HARRISBURG, PA — The additional coronavirus mitigation measures announced in mid-December will expire as planned on Jan. 4, Gov. Tom Wolf confirmed Wednesday.

All mitigation orders put in place before Dec. 12 remain in place, he said. Mitigation orders that will remain in place include the mask-wearing mandate, gathering limits based on venue size and the restaurant self-certification process for indoor dining.

"This does not mean we are out of the woods," Wolf said during a Wednesday afternoon news briefing.

The mitigation measures announced in mid-December were instituted as cases spiked amid a fall surge. The restrictions were aimed to put Pennsylvania "on pause" until Jan. 4, 2021, Wolf said at the time.

Among the restrictions was a ban on indoor dining, as well as the closure of indoor gym facilities. Plus, youth sports were paused, retail stores were under reduced capacity, and gathering sizes scaled back.

The temporary restrictions were aimed at quelling the spread of the virus in high-risk settings, officials said, pointing to troubling data on rising hospitalizations and deaths.

The out-of-state testing requirement remains in place.

The following additional mitigation measures will remain in effect as of Jan. 4:

Business, work, school, child care and congregate settings

• Child care may open, complying with guidance.
• Congregate care restrictions in place.
• Prison and hospital restrictions determined by individual facilities
• Schools subject to CDC and commonwealth guidance.
• Telework must continue unless impossible.
• Businesses with in-person operations must follow updated business and building safety requirements.
• Masks are required in businesses.
• All in-person businesses may operate at 75 percent occupancy, except where noted.
• Self-certified restaurants may open at 50 percent capacity for indoor dining; Restaurants that have not self-certified are at 25 percent capacity for indoor dining,
• On-premises alcohol consumption prohibited unless part of a meal; cocktails-to-go and carryout beverages are allowed
• Serving alcohol for on-site consumption must end at 11 p.m., and all alcoholic beverages must be removed from patrons by midnight
• Personal care services (including hair salons and barbershops) open at 50 percent occupancy and by appointment only
• Indoor recreation and health facilities (such as gyms and spas) open at 50 percent occupancy with appointments strongly encouraged; fitness facilities directed to prioritize outdoor activities.
• All entertainment (such as casinos, theaters, and museums) open at 50 percent occupancy.
• Construction at full capacity with continued implementation of protocol.
• Hospitals are still being monitored to determine if elective procedure reductions should be ordered

The full news briefing can be viewed here: