Non-essential businesses told to close

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Pennsylvania ramped up its attempts to stop the spread of coronavirus Monday as Gov. Tom Wolf ordered non-essential businesses in the commonwealth to shut down by midnight.

This expands a mitigation effort Wolf enacted for Allegheny County on Sunday to a statewide effort, which Wolf said did not come as an easy decision. The governor said it was only done because it’s the only way to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.

Wolf said his order will have to be self-enforced and isn’t a government mandate. 

“This is your fellow public servants telling you what the right way to handle this public health crisis is,” Wolf said. “We’re not sending out the state police or National Guard to enforce this.”

Non-essential stores will close, which do not include grocery stores. Bars and restaurants will close to eat-in customers, but can continue to offer takeout and delivery options.

Wolf said facilities and programs that operate for seniors during the day will close, but essential municipal services such as garbage collection will continue as well as medical services.

Wolf anticipates the shutdown will last two weeks, but said his administration will continue to review the situation in hopes of lifting the ban sooner if possible.

The Wolf administration’s definition of non-essential businesses includes community and recreation centers; gyms, including yoga, barre and spin facilities; hair salons, nail salons and spas; casinos; concert venues; theaters; bars; sporting event venues and golf courses; retail facilities, including shopping malls, except for pharmacies or other health care facilities within retail operations.

As of Monday evening, there were 76 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Pennsylvania — six in Allegheny County and one in Washington County — according to the state department of health website.

Turnpike changes

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission stopped accepting cash and credit cards to pay tolls on the mainline ticket system at 8 p.m. Monday to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Cash tolls are still in place on the Mon-Fayette Expressway via the current Automated Payment Machines.

All other tolls will be collected electronically via EZ Pass or the toll-by-plate program.

The toll-by-plate program utilizes high-speed cameras to capture license-plate images as vehicles pass through. The registered vehicle owner receives an invoice within 30 days for trips made through the tolling point. Invoices can be paid online, by phone or by mail. The person will be charged the cash rate.

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced Monday it will indefinitely close all Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores at 9 p.m. Tuesday. Sales at www.FineWineAndGoodSpirits.com ended Monday evening.

“This was a tremendously difficult decision to make, and we understand the disruption our store closures will have on consumers and licensees across the commonwealth,” said board Chairman Tim Holden.  

“But in these uncertain and unprecedented times, the public health crisis and mitigation effort must take priority over the sale of wine and spirits, as the health and safety of our employees and communities is paramount.”

All stores and licensee service centers across Pennsylvania will remain closed until further notice.

Toward the end of the month, the PLCB will re-evaluate its operations, guided by the strategy developed by the governor’s office and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Courts

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is giving chief judges in each county authority to close down court facilities and suspend time limits that normally apply to court proceedings. The high court acted Monday and provided the emergency powers through April 14. The order, however, doesn’t affect criminal defendants’ right to speedy trials.

Driver license centers

All driver license centers and photo license centers in the commonwealth are closed for two weeks effective at the end of business Monday.

Customers may complete various transactions and access multiple resources at www.dmv.pa.gov.

Driver and vehicle online services include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals, driver-history services, changes of address, driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters, ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee, driver license and photo ID duplicates and driver exam scheduling. 

There are no additional fees for using online services.