Expect To Wear Masks In PA Through 2021, Officials Say

HARRISBURG, PA — When will the coronavirus restrictions end in Pennsylvania?

Despite some good news that vaccines could begin to be available to some Pennsylvanians as soon as next month, we should expect some level of public health mitigation measures — including wearing masks — to be in place for another year, officials said.

Speaking during a news briefing Thursday, Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine said she expects masks will be necessary "well into" 2021. "Maybe until the end of 2021."

The statement came as Levine discussed plans for distributing the vaccine in Pennsylvania, which will be done in three phases. There is no estimation for when the vaccine will be fully available to all in the state. It will first be administered to those in vulnerable populations and in high-risk situations.

"We are in for a very challenging time, which is why we are talking about containment and mitigation," Levine said. "We anticipate again that will be rolling this out through winter, and then the spring, and into the summer."

She noted: "it could take a significant amount of time to immunize everyone in Pennsylvania."

Pennsylvania on Thursday once again broke its own record for most new cases reported in a single day. There were 7,126 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 288,978.

As of Thursday, there are 2,904 people in the state hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 628 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19.

Also Thursday, 116 new coronavirus deaths were reported, bringing Pennsylvania's death toll to 9,581.