Red, yellow, green: What to expect in each of Pa.’s tiers for reopening
Officials have announced that limited outdoor dining will be allowed in the more restrictive “yellow” phase starting June 5.
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Updated, May 27
HARRISBURG — As some counties prepare to enter the “green” phase of Pennsylvania’s tiered reopening plan, Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration has updated its guidance on what residents in those areas can and can’t do.
Officials have also announced that limited outdoor dining will be allowed in the more restrictive “yellow” phase staring June 5. By that date, the entire state is expected to be in that phase.
Under the new guidance, bars and restaurants may serve customers outside if:
Customers are seated at tables only
Customers wear masks unless seated
Tables are placed at least six feet apart
The facility limits occupancy
Here’s more on what you can expect in each phase.
PHASE RED
This is the most stringent phase created under a statewide stay-at-home order.
Workplace restrictions
Life sustaining businesses only
Congregate care and prison restrictions in place
Schools (for in-person instruction) and most child care facilities closed
Social restrictions
Stay at home orders in place
Large gatherings prohibited
Restaurants and bars limited to carry-out and delivery only
Only travel for life-sustaining purposes encouraged
PHASE YELLOW
In this phase, state officials will ease some restrictions and allow more businesses to open, but customers can still expect mitigation efforts such as curbside pickup/delivery only and potential limitations on the number of people allowed in store. Closures of schools, gyms, and other indoor recreation centers, hair and nail salons, as well as limitations around large gatherings, remain in place.
Workplace restrictions
Telework must continue where feasible
Businesses with in-person operations must follow business and building safety orders
Child care open complying with guidance
Congregate care and prison restrictions in place
Schools remain closed for in-person instruction
Social restrictions
Stay at home order lifted for aggressive mitigation
Large gatherings of more than 25 prohibited
In-person retail allowable, curbside and delivery preferable
Indoor recreation, health and wellness facilities and personal care services (such as gyms, spas, hair salons, nail salons and other entities that provide massage therapy), and all entertainment (such as casinos, theaters) remain closed
Restaurants and bars limited to carry-out and delivery only, or outdoor dining with certain restrictions
PHASE GREEN
This phase removes most restrictions placed upon business operations and social guidelines, though safety guidelines implemented by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health must be followed. This phase is considered the “new normal.”
Workplace and congregate setting restrictions
Continued telework strongly encouraged
Businesses with in-person operations must follow updated business and building safety requirements
All businesses operating at 50% occupancy in the yellow phase may increase to 75% occupancy
Child care may open complying with guidance
Congregate care restrictions in place
Prison and hospital restrictions determined by individual facilities
Schools subject to CDC and commonwealth guidance
Social restrictions
Large recreational gatherings remain restricted. Any gathering for a planned or spontaneous event of greater than 250 individuals is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, a concert, festival, fair, conference, sporting event, movie showing, or theater performance
Restaurants and bars open at 50% occupancy
Personal care services (including hair salons and barbershops) open at 50% occupancy and by appointment only
Indoor recreation, health and wellness facilities, and personal care services (such as gyms and spas) open at 50% occupancy with appointments strongly encouraged
All entertainment (such as casinos, theaters, and shopping malls) open at 50% occupancy
Construction activity may return to full capacity with continued implementation of protocols
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