Wolf Eases Some Pandemic Restrictions, Keeps Draconian Limits on Gatherings
(The Center Square) – Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf rescinded some of his social distancing orders on Monday, including rules about out-of-state travel and capacity limits for public events.
Citing a downward trend in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the administration said residents leaving the state no longer are required provide proof of a test negative upon return or quarantine for 14 days.
Indoor and outdoor event capacity limits have been raised to 15% and 20%, respectively. The lifted orders do not change rules for restaurants, bars, alcohol sales, wearing masks or other social distancing mandates put into place over the last year.
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 fell to just below 1,900 over the weekend as the positivity rate for tests for the week ending Feb. 18 stood at 6.5% – less than half of the rate measured during the virus’s second peak in December.
“We need to balance protecting public health with leading the state to a robust economic recovery,” Wolf said. “We are lifting mitigation efforts only when we believe it is safe to do so.”