Everything you need to know about the Pennsylvania coronavirus shutdown

On March 16, Gov. Tom Wolf ordered a statewide shutdown, urging nonessential businesses to close for two weeks to help slow the spread of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania.

• Cynthia Fernandez/Spotlight PA
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  Cynthia Fernandez covers the most important news and events from the Capitol and state legislature. She is a member of the second class of Lenfest Fellows, a program of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and supported by the Independence Public Media Foundation. Cynthia joined Spotlight PA from Boston, where she recently completed an undergraduate degree in journalism, with a concentration in computer science, from Boston University. She has interned at several news organizations, including Muck Rock, WBUR, and Boston Magazine. Most recently, she was a part-time breaking news reporter at the Boston Globe and a research assistant for their Spotlight team. A Cuban immigrant and Miami native, Cynthia is particularly interested in reporting on marginalized communities and how they interface with institutional and governmental systems.

 HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia Inquirer

Chairs and tables are stacked inside the food court of 30th Street Station in Philadelphia on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered the statewide shutdown of nonessential Pennsylvania businesses for the next 14 days, while in Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney announced Monday a similar policy for the city due to the spread of the coronavirus. Restaurants will have to be take-out only. HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia Inquirer

This story was produced as part of a joint effort between Spotlight PA, LNP Media Group, PennLive, PA Post, and WITF to cover how Pennsylvania state government is responding to the coronavirus.

HARRISBURG — On March 16, Gov. Tom Wolf ordered a statewide shutdown, urging nonessential businesses to close for two weeks to help slow the spread of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania.

The governor also ordered restaurants and bars to close their dine-in facilities and to limit service to carry-out or delivery.

But Wolf’s move has caused confusion among business owners and the wider public about what is considered a nonessential business, and whether his shutdown is voluntary or mandatory.

Here’s what we know as of 4 p.m. March 17 (this story will be updated):

Q: What is an essential business?

A: The state has not provided a comprehensive list, but did release the following guidance on “essential services and sectors”:

• Food processing
• Agriculture
• Industrial manufacturing
• Feed mills
• Construction
• Trash collection
• Grocery and household goods (including convenience stores)
• Home repair/hardware and auto repair
• Pharmacy and other medical facilities
• Biomedical and health care
• Post offices and shipping outlets
• Insurance
• Banks
• Gas stations
• Laundromats
• Veterinary clinics and pet stores
• Warehousing, storage, and distribution
• Public transportation
• Hotel and commercial lodging

Q: What is a nonessential business?

A: The state has again provided guidance, rather than a comprehensive list. “Public-facing” businesses are urged to close for two weeks. Any business owner with questions is asked to email ra-dcedcs@pa.gov.

These businesses include:

• Entertainment facilities
• Hospitality facilities
• Recreation facilities, like community centers
• Gyms, including yoga, barre, and spin studios
• Hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, and spas
• Casinos
• Concert venues
• Theaters
• Sporting event venues, including golf courses
• Retail facilities, like shopping malls; retail shops with pharmacies or other health care facilities can continue to operate

Q: Are nonessential businesses required to close?

A: This is the primary source of confusion.

The administration said in a news release on March 17 that it “is relying on businesses to act now before the governor or the Secretary of Health finds it necessary to compel closures under the law for the interest of public health.”

Wolf’s advisers say he’s empowered to do so.

“The administration supports local law enforcement, permitting entities, and local officials to enforce if needed,” the state said on March 16. “The governor does not want to expend valuable resources from the state police and PA National Guard because irresponsible people choose not to do the right thing.”

Republican leaders in the state House put out their own message.

They said in a statement that although they agree large groups should not gather, “if you, or a business owner you know, wish to remain in business, it is their right to do so.”

When asked if the GOP leaders’ message was correct, Lyndsay Kensinger, a spokesperson for Wolf, said “no.”

“[State House leadership] should encourage all of their constituents to follow the guidance by the Wolf Administration and the federal government to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” Kensinger said.

Q: What about restaurants and bars?

A: Wolf has “temporarily prohibited” restaurants and bars from serving patrons sit-down meals, but they can continue to offer takeout, drive-through, or delivery options.

John Longstreet, president of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association, said he trusts public health officials and said he is focused on making sure small businesses survive the pandemic.

“We are focused on recovery and making sure employees have access to benefits, restaurants have cash flow to reopen, and that they survive this economic break,” he said, later adding: “The vast majority of people I‘ve talked to are glad the government is doing its job.”

Q: What about schools?

On March 13, Wolf ordered all K-12 schools statewide to close. Still, some private and higher-education institutions continued to operate, requiring students to report to class if they did not have flu-like symptoms.

As of March 17, however, Eric Levis, a spokesperson for the state Department of Education, said private schools and colleges “are affected” by the statewide shutdown request. More details are available on the department’s website.

Q: What about everything else?

• All casinos are closed.
• All driver’s license and photo centers are closed. The Department of Transportation has extended the validity of expiring driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, and inspections until the end of April.
• State-run liquor stores will close indefinitely at 9 p.m. Tuesday, although consumers can still purchase wine and beer at grocery stores that carry them, according to officials at the Liquor Control Board.
• All facilities at state parks and forests are closed for 14 days starting Tuesday. Trails, lakes, forests, roads, and parking areas will remain open to the public.
• Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court is under a statewide judicial emergency until April 14, 2020, during which county president judges can, among other changes, restrict or temporarily close court facilities and authorize using technology to conduct court proceedings.
• The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has stopped accepting cash or credit cards as payment at tollbooths to keep drivers moving. Payments will be assessed through E-ZPass or the “toll by plate” program.
• All 17 service plazas along the Turnpike will be partially closed, meaning there will be no fast food or inside dining available. Indoor restrooms will also be closed, but portable toilets are still an option. Gas stations and convenience stores will still operate.
• The state’s Department of Corrections is not allowing visitors and is screening all staff, vendors, contractors, and incarcerated persons for COVID-19 symptoms.
• No visitors are allowed inside senior care or long-term care facilities.

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