Governor Wolf Orders Closure of All Businesses that are Not Life-Sustaining

Late this afternoon, Governor Wolf ordered that all businesses that are not life-sustaining must close effective immediately, regardless of whether the business is open to the public or not.  At the same time, the Pennsylvania Department of Health issued an Order materially the same as the Governor’s Order.  The Governor’s Order will start being enforced at 12:01 am, Saturday, March 21, 2020.  The mandated closure permits telework or virtual (work from home) operations, so long as social distancing and other mitigation measures are followed in such operations. 

Life sustaining businesses may stay in operation, but must follow CDC guidelines for social distancing and other mitigation measures. 

Under the Order, bars and restaurants that offer carry-out, delivery, and drive-thru food and beverage service may continue, so long as social distancing and other mitigation measures are employed.

Below are links to PDF copies of the Governor’s Order, the Department of Health’s Order, and a list delineating life-sustaining and non-life-sustaining businesses.      

You need to immediately assess whether your business fits in the list of life-sustaining or non-life-sustaining businesses before the enforcement mechanism of the Governor’s Order takes effect.  Please be aware that MacDonald Illig attorneys are working remotely, so you can e-mail or call your attorney’s cell phone at any time if you need help to assess whether your business is life-sustaining or non-life-sustaining, or to implement the requirements of the Order.