Pennsylvania on Monday lifted the bulk of its remaining COVID-19 restrictions, though a mask mandate remains in place for unvaccinated people, Gov. Tom Wolf said.
All businesses, events, and venues can return to 100 percent capacity starting Monday, Wolf’s office said.
“It’s an exciting day in Pennsylvania: COVID-19 mitigation orders have now been lifted,” Wolf wrote in a May 31 tweet, adding that masking requirements will remain in effect until June 28 at the latest.
“The masking requirement will be lifted on June 28 or when 70 [percent] of Pennsylvania adults are fully vaccinated, whichever comes first,” Wolf wrote.
Updated guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health indicates that fully vaccinated people can resume activities they did prior to the pandemic, including not having to wear a mask or practice social distancing, except in health care settings and where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial regulations, including local business and workplace guidelines.
People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their last required vaccine dose.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 54 percent of Pennsylvania residents aged 18 and over are fully vaccinated, while around 70 percent have received at least one dose.
“Pennsylvanians are realizing that they have the power to stop COVID-19 and they are stepping up to get vaccinated,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said in a statement. “Folks are taking the critical steps needed to put this pandemic behind us and lifting the mitigation measures should allow people to enjoy some of the activities they missed last year.”
BY TOM OZIMEK
