PA To Lift Mask Mandate By June 28 At Latest

PENNSYLVANIA — The statewide mask mandate will be lifted in Pennsylvania by June 28 at the latest, health officials said on Thursday.

The announcement is an update to the state's previous plan, which had only indicated that the masks would not longer be required once 70 percent of the adult population had been fully vaccinated. If that mark is reached before June 28, the mandate will be lifted.

The move comes as the state's vaccination rate continues to improve.

"We're at a point of transition," Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “Pennsylvanians are realizing that they have the power to stop COVID-19 and they are stepping up to get vaccinated.”

The state now has 70 percent of adults that have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Beam said this number is a "strong indicator" that at least that percentage will be fully vaccinated by the end of June.

All other COVID-19 mitigation orders will expire on Memorial Day. When asked if the pandemic was over during a news briefing on Thursday, Beam cautioned that the virus still exists, but said that it's time to move forward.

Restrictions are being lifted "so folks can self-regulate...but do it safely, and do it acutely aware of the risks still posed by COVID-19," she added.

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. Lifting the order also does not prevent businesses, workplaces, hospitals, or long-term care facilities from implementing mandates.

Heading into the summer, the next phase of vaccinations will likely involve younger children. Health officials expect emergency use authorizations for multiple vaccines to be granted to all school age children in order to inoculate them before they return to school next fall. Currently, all children 12 and older are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

As of Thursday morning, the state had fully vaccinated 52.7 percent of the 18 and older population.

This is a breaking story. Check back for more information as it becomes available.