On Friday, March 20th, Governor Tom Wolf ordered all non-life sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania to close their physical locations until further notice. Businesses that fail to comply with the governor’s order will be subject to enforcement actions including citations, fines, license suspensions, administrative actions, imprisonment, the forfeiture of disaster relief funds, and the termination of state loan or grant funding.
According to guidance provided by the governor’s office, only the industry groups listed below may continue physical operations. All other businesses may continue to operate remotely. (In extenuating circumstances, exemptions may be provided to businesses that supply or service health care providers.)
- Natural Resources And Mining – Crop and animal farmers (along with the businesses that support these industry groups), fishers, hunters, trappers, and oil and gas extractors;
- Manufacturing – Manufacturers specializing in food, beverages, paper, petroleum, coal, certain chemicals (excluding paints, coatings, and adhesives), plastic, rubber, cement, concrete, iron, steel, ferroalloy, alumina, aluminum, agricultural machinery, HVAC, engines, turbines, and power transmission, electrical components, control instruments, and medical equipment;
- Retail Trade – Automotive stores, grocery stores, beer, wine, and liquor stores, gas stations, general merchandise stores, electronic and mail order houses;
- Transportation And Warehousing – All transportation and warehousing businesses (excluding charter bus and scenic and sightseeing firms);
- Wholesale Trade – Durable and non-durable good wholesalers (excluding furniture, lumber, construction, apparel and electronic wholesalers);
- Utilities– All utilities may remain open;
- Information – Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers, radio and television broadcasters, cable programmers, telecommunication carriers, cable and other program distributors, and data processing and hosting services;
- Financial Activities – Monetary authorities, credit intermediation businesses, and equipment and vehicle rental and leasing services;
- Health Services – All health care and social assistance services, aside from child care services, may remain open. Ambulatory health care services and hospitals, however, are prohibited from performing elective procedures;
- Professional And Business Services – Scientific research and development organizations, facilities support services, investigation and security services, building and dwelling services, and waste management services;
- Accommodation And Food Services – RV parks, camp grounds, rooming and boarding houses, as well as full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places may continue physical operations. Under the order, however, restaurant service is limited to takeout and delivery service; and
- Other Services – Repair and maintenance services, death care services, and religious, grantmaking, social advocacy, civil and social organizations.