Gov. Wolf issues stay-at-home order for 6 counties, extends school closures

Gov. Tom Wolf issued a stay-at-home order for six counties and extended the closure of schools in the state for another two weeks to help fight the spread of COVID-19. He did not mention any timetable for the closure of non-life sustaining businesses. Those closures were ordered “until further notice.”

The state now has 644 COVID-19 cases in 34 counties, up 165 from yesterday. Six people have now died from the virus. Sixty people have required hospitalization.

The order affects Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Monroe and Montgomery counties.

The Governor did not mention any penalties for violations, however he said he is calling on residents to “do the right thing” and only leave their homes for life-sustaining needs.

State police today enforcing the closure of non-life sustaining businesses, however the governor said police are reporting that few businesses are not complying.

Violators could be cited for violating the order, Wolf said, that is not the goal.

“While there is enforcement if we need to, hopefully everyone will recognize the shared responsibilities,” he said. “This is up for Pennsylvanians to make the right decision.”

He did say thousands of companies have applied for waivers to the closure of physical locations, with a major spike of applications made today. He could not say how many have been approved or denied, but he said state officials are working through the requests at this time.