Deadline today for non-essential businesses

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

Today is the deadline for non-essential businesses to apply for an exemption from the government.

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin said the deadline to apply is 5 p.m. today.

The exemption application process for businesses was created in response to Gov. Tom Wolf and Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine’s orders to stop the spread of COVID-19.

“We appreciate the cooperation of businesses making sure they are operating appropriately during this time,” Davin said. “As the business exemption period ends this week, our staff continues to work tirelessly to organize and assess the data associated with submissions.”

Businesses that are non-life sustaining were ordered to close their physical locations March 19, but non-life sustaining businesses that provide life-sustaining services are able to seek an exemption.

By Tuesday, the DCED received 32,474 requests for exemptions from businesses.

The DCED is reminding businesses to not apply for a waiver more than once because they have not received a response from a prior submission.

Those requesting an exemption will be notified via email if their operations may re-open, but have to remain closed until a decision is made.

Questions can be directed to ra-dcedcs@pa.gov.