Wolf expands mask order to include outdoors

By ERIC SEIVERLING
eseiverling@yourmvi.com

In an effort to curb an uptick in COVID-19 cases throughout Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday an executive order requiring all residents to wear a face mask in public places and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
The order, signed by Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine, went into effect immediately Wednesday afternoon and expands on the business safety order signed by Levine in April that requires faces masks worn in businesses.
“This mask-wearing order is essential to stopping the recent increase in COVID-19 cases we have seen in Pennsylvania,” Wolf said. “Those hot spots can be traced to situations where Pennsylvanians were not wearing masks or practicing social distancing – two practices that must be adhered to if we want to maintain the freedoms we have in place under our reopening.”
The order outlines the situations when a mask must be worn and includes limited exceptions to the face-covering requirement.
Individuals are required to wear face coverings if they are:
• Outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet from individuals who are not members of their household.
• In any indoor location where members of the public are generally permitted.
• Waiting for, riding on, driving, or operating public transportation or paratransit or while in a taxi, private car service or ride-sharing vehicle.
• Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, veterinary clinic or blood bank.
• Engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when interacting in-person with any member of the public, working in any space visited by members of the public, working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others, working in or walking through common areas, or in any room or enclosed area where other people, except for members of the person’s own household or residence, are present when unable to physically distance.
Individuals who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition, including those with respiratory issues that impede breathing, mental health condition or disability are exempt from face covering requirements.
“It is essential that Pennsylvanians wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Levine said. “While cases increase in some areas, we cannot become complacent. My mask protects you, and your mask protects me. Wearing a mask shows that you care about others, and that you are committed to protecting the lives of those around you.”
The order comes as coronavirus cases in the state continue to rise, and on Wednesday the state’s department of health put the total number of confirmed cases at 84,751.
Closer to home, a local Mon Valley official weighed in on the governor’s order.
“We all have a responsibility to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said state representative Austin Davis, D-McKeesport. “The one thing that has been proven is that masks work to stop the spread of the virus.
“The governor made the right call. States like Florida and Georgia have been more lax, and their numbers are going through the roof. It’s a small sacrifice we have to make. You can’t go into a store without shoes and a shirt and expect to be served.”
The order also takes effect just days before the state —and the country — celebrates Independence Day, which usually involves large crowds and gatherings. Wolf said that he does not envision another broad shutdown order to contain the coronavirus in Pennsylvania and hopes to leave those decisions to local governments.
The department of health will continue to be a partner in supporting local officials, such as sharing information and best practices, Wolf said.
Cases
There have now been 87,242 cases of coronavirus in the state, which is an increase of 1,254 since Monday. There have been 73 deaths of the virus in that time, bringing the state total up to 6,687.
In the last 24 hours, the state has reported an increase of 636 new cases of coronavirus — which is an increase of about 200 new cases over where the daily average of new cases had been holding steady since last week. There were 38 new deaths statewide in the 24-hour period leading into Wednesday.
Allegheny County has had a total of 2,870 cases — which represents an increase of 219 new cases since Monday.
According to the ACHD, there have been 187 deaths, an increase of one this week.
There have been no other new deaths in the counties that make up the Mon Valley.
In Fayette County there have been 117 cases, which means there have been five new cases this week.
Washington County reported 14 new cases since Monday, for a new total of 230.
Westmoreland County reported 35 new cases since Monday for a new total of 675 cases.