Pennsylvania Implements Stricter Mask and Distancing Requirements for Businesses to Protect Essential Workers

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Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine speaking at a virtual press conference.

Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine has ordered strict new guidelines businesses in the state must follow to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The order applies to customers and employees of essential businesses.

A key requirement in the order mandates that customers and employees wear a mask inside the business. Customers without a mask will be denied entry.

An essential business providing medication, medical supplies or food must provide alternative methods of pick up or delivery of goods for those without masks.

“This order will ensure continuity across all life-sustaining businesses and will further our efforts to protect the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians,” Dr. Levine said. “Together, we can all help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”

The order asks employers to provide masks to their employees, although employers may also approve masks obtained or made by the employees.

The order requires employers to provide adequate space and business practices to ensure that health safety issues for its employees and customers are addressed.

That includes six feet safety distances in break rooms, physical barriers like plexiglass shields, staggered work start and stop times, specific shopping times for the elderly and high-risk customers and virtual meetings and training.

Non-essential visitors will not be allowed in the business.

The order also addresses how employers should handle an employee who is sick or has a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19, as well as dealing with the physical location of the business and other employees should the business be exposed to the virus.

A business could be subjected to citations, fines or license suspensions for failing to comply with the order.

Compliance with the order will be enforced beginning Sunday, April 19 at 8 p.m.

For more specific information about the new requirements, click here.

 

 

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