Butler County added to growing list of areas under Gov. Tom Wolf's stay-at-home order

Butler County on Friday joined the growing list of Pennsylvania counties under Gov. Tom Wolf’s stay-at-home order.

The order was scheduled to take effect at 8 p.m. Friday and continue until April 6. Individuals must stay at home “unless someone’s life depends on your leaving,” according to the order.

In all, nine additional counties were added to the list in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus: Butler, Westmoreland, Berks, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Luzerne, Pike, Wayne, Westmoreland and York Counties. Nineteen counties in all are under the stay-at-home order.

Butler County has 26 confirmed cases, according to the department of health and one confirmed death, although a second death was reported in that county Friday morning.

The state Department of Health confirmed an additional 531 coronavirus cases Friday, bringing the statewide total to 2,218 in 50 counties.

According to the order, individuals may leave their residence for the following reasons:

• Tasks essential to maintain health and safety, or the health and safety of their family or household members (including pets) such as obtaining medicine or medical supplies, visiting a health care professional or obtaining supplies they need to work from home.

• Getting necessary services or supplies for themselves, for their family or household members, or as part of volunteer efforts, or to deliver those services or supplies to others to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.

• Engaging in outdoor activity such as walking, hiking or running if they maintain social distancing.

• To perform work providing essential products and services at a life-sustaining business

• To care for a family member or pet in another household

• Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities or other vulnerable persons

• Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services

• Travel to return to a place or residence from an outside jurisdiction

• Travel required by law enforcement or court order

• Travel required for non-residents to return to their place of residence outside the commonwealth.