By Christopher Holland • The Current Contributing Writer
Carbon County entered the yellow phase of Governor Wolf’s reopening plan on May 22, and according to the state government’s website, it could enter the green phase by Friday, June 5. This would allow for reopening of all businesses, including bars and restaurants, and hair salons.
With new case counts showing that these aggressive efforts have flattened the curve, the governor and his administration plan for a reopening process that protects Pennsylvanians and helps to stabilize the economy.
Many local business owners are excited to be opening their doors again however, restrictions will still be in place.
As regions or counties, such as Carbon, either have or will move into the yellow phase, some restrictions on work and social interaction will ease while others, such as closures of schools, gyms, and other indoor recreation centers, as well as limitations around large gatherings, remain in place.
The yellow phase has work and congregate setting restrictions including telework must continue where feasible, businesses with in-person operations must follow business and building safety orders, child care open with worker and building safety orders, congregate care and prison restrictions in place, and schools remain closed for in-person instruction.
Social restrictions include stay at home restrictions lifted in favor or aggressive mitigation, large gatherings of more than 25 people prohibited, in-person retail allowable (with curbside and delivery preferable), indoor recreation, health and wellness facilities (such as gyms and spas), and all entertainment (such as casinos and theaters) remain closed, and restaurants and bars remain limited to carry-out and delivery only.
In accordance with the law mandated by the state, all businesses must follow CDC and DOH guidance for social distancing and cleaning.
The green phase eases most restrictions by lifting the stay at home and business closure orders to allow the economy to strategically reopen while continuing to prioritize public health.
The green and final phase has work and congregate setting restrictions including all businesses must follow CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines. Restrictions include continued telework strongly encouraged, businesses with in-person operations must follow updated business and building safety requirements, all businesses operating at 50 percent occupancy in the yellow phase may increase to 75 percent occupancy, child care may open complying with guidance, congregate care restrictions in place, prison and hospital restrictions determined by individual facilities, and schools subject to CDC and Commonwealth guidance.
Social restrictions include aggressive mitigation orders lifted, and all individuals must follow CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines. Restrictions include large gatherings of more than 250 people prohibited, restaurants and bars open at 50 percent occupancy, personal care services (including hair salons and barbershops) open at 50 percent occupancy and by appointment only, indoor recreation, health and wellness facilities and personal care services (such as gyms and spas) open at 50 percent occupancy with appointments strongly encourage, all entertainment (such as casinos, theaters and shopping malls) open at 50 percent occupancy, and construction activity may return to full capacity with continued implementation of protocols.
Information can be found via the state government’s website and social media outlets.
Over the coming weeks and months, the Wolf Administration will collaborate with the legislature, stakeholders, and Pennsylvanians to build on the governor’s ideas for recovery so that we can emerge from this pandemic stronger.
A fully detailed recovery plan can be found at www.governor.pa.gov/plan-for-pennsylvania.
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