PA Mask Mandate Likely To Be Lifted Before 70 Percent Vaccinated

PENNSYLVANIA — As the pandemic inches closer and closer to its end in Pennsylvania, one of the final major milestones is coming up at the end of June: lifting the mask mandate.

However, it appears unlikely that Pennsylvania will reach its goal of fully vaccinating 70 percent of the adult population by June 28. Gov. Tom Wolf had previously said that the mask mandate would be lifted either by the end of the month or when the 70 percent benchmark is reached.

The state has currently fully vaccinated 58.9 percent of the adult population, according to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control. Pennsylvania has administered first doses of vaccine to 61.6 percent of its entire population, and it ranks 8th among all 50 states for first doses administered by percentage of population.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health reconfirmed the goal in a statement Monday.

"The current order requiring masks for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals will remain in place until June 28 or when 70 percent of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older get their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, whichever comes first."

A month ago, when the end of June announcement was first made, officials seemed optimistic about reaching the 70 percent benchmark by then. Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said this number was a "strong indicator" that at least that percentage would be fully vaccinated by the end of June, as most residents should receive their second shot within a month.

The lifting of the mask mandate will come as case numbers continue to plummet to their lowest point since the dawn of the pandemic. The statewide percent positivity rate sits at 1.4 percent as of Monday.

All other COVID-19 mitigation orders expired back on Memorial Day. However, the state guidance does not mean that local governments, businesses, schools, and more cannot continue to exercise caution of their own.

And even once the masking order is lifted, the state will continue to follow CDC guidance which requires masks on planes, buses, trains, and all other forms of public transportation.