Coronavirus Pandemic

Red, yellow, green: What you can expect in each of Pa.’s tiers for reopening

The first step toward reopening still mandates the closure of schools, gyms, and other recreation centers, as well as hair and nail salons. Large gatherings are also banned.

Spotlight PA staff

May 1, 2020

(Heather Khalifa/Philadelphia Inquirer)

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Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday announced that 24 northwest and north-central Pennsylvania counties will be allowed to reopen in a limited fashion beginning May 8, the first step toward unwinding the stringent coronavirus restrictions in place across the state.

These counties — Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Venango, and Warren — will enter the “yellow” phase of Wolf’s tiered reopening.

Here’s what you can expect each step of the way:

Phase red

This is the most stringent phase and has been in place for all Pennsylvania counties since a statewide stay-at-home order was issued April 1.

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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 cars limited to carry-out and delivery only

Phase green

This phase removes all 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 restrictions

All businesses must follow CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines

Social restrictions

Aggressive mitigation lifted
All individuals must follow CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines

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