Gov. Wolf orders nonessential Pennsylvania businesses to shut down

Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday ordered nonessential Pennsylvania businesses to shut down to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

Wolf said he expects the closures beginning Tuesday to last at least two weeks, but “we will be constantly reevaluating.”

Wolf’s order came hours after New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Ohio enacted similar mandates, closing all casinos, gyms and movie theaters.

“This isn’t a decision I take lightly at all,” Wolf said. “It is one that I’m making because medical experts believe it is the only way we can prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed by patients.”

Essential businesses such as grocery stores and medical facilities will remain open, and trash collection and other important services will continue, he said. Restaurants can continue offering take-out.

He said there is no reason to panic, but the virus should be taken seriously, which means making as few contacts as possible.

“For example, if you need to go to the pharmacy, go to the pharmacy,” Wolf said. “But don’t stop at several other stores or places on the way in and make contact with a dozen other people.”

Hours earlier, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 13 new confirmed cases of covid-19. That brought the total number of cases confirmed by the state to 76, including six in Allegheny County.

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said test results are rolling in from hospital and commercial labs across the state, and as of Monday morning, 670 patients had been tested and found to be negative.

She reiterated that individuals who do not have symptoms and are just worried should stay home. Even those who might feel somewhat sick but wouldn’t go to a doctor under normal circumstances should stay home.

“Your job right now is to stay calm, stay safe and, please, stay at home,” Levine said.

It will be up to individual businesses and organizations to heed the order, according to Wolf.

“This has to be self-enforced,” he said. “This is not your government mandating anything. This is your fellow public servants telling you what the right way to handle this public health crisis is.

“We’re not sending out the state police or National Guard to enforce this,” he continued.

Wolf on Sunday night had ordered all Allegheny County bars and restaurants to suspend dine-in services for 14 days. County officials also urged all nonessential businesses to close for two weeks.

The City of Pittsburgh ordered a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people, in accordance with a CDC recommendation.

In a letter to business owners, Levine defined nonessential businesses as community and rec centers; gyms, including ones offering group fitness classes like yoga and spin; hair and nail salons and spas; casinos, concert venues and theaters; bars; sports facilities and golf courses; and retail facilities except for those containing pharmacies or medical facilities.

Liquor stores will begin to close, though beer and wine can still be purchased at licensed grocery stores, and restaurants can still provider carry-out and delivery.