Pennsylvania tightens coronavirus restrictions on businesses as cases climb

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tightened restrictions on businesses Wednesday as the number of new coronavirus cases climbs in the state. 

Wolf’s new orders, which will take effect Thursday, reduced capacity for indoor dining to 25 percent. Bars can be open for sit-down meals at tables, also at 25 percent capacity, but bar service will be prohibited. 

Indoor gatherings are also capped at 25 people, and outdoor gatherings are capped at 250 people under the new order. The governor is also requiring all businesses to operate by teleworking if possible. 

Wolf warned that COVID-19 cases could surpass the peak the state hit in April if further action is not taken. 

“During the past week, we have seen an unsettling climb in new COVID-19 cases,” Wolf said in a statement. “When we hit our peak on April 9, we had nearly two thousand new cases that day with other days’ cases hovering around 1,000. Medical experts looking at the trajectory we are on now are projecting that this new surge could soon eclipse the April peak. With our rapid case increases we need to act again now.”

Pennsylvania reported 994 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, bringing the state’s total to 97,665, according to state data.

#COVID19 Update (as of 7/15/20 at 12:00 am):
• 994 additional positive cases of COVID-19
• 97,665 total cases statewide
• 6,957 deaths statewide
• 870,984 patients tested negative to date

More information: https://t.co/7pzosEXhEX

— PA Department of Health (@PAHealthDept) July 15, 2020