Gov. Tom Wolf is delaying enforcement of his original order and the state’s Secretary of Health’s order that requires the physical locations of all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania to close.

The announcement was made Friday evening. The order required a long list of businesses to close at 8 p.m. Thursday with the enforcement of the closure to begin at midnight tonight. Enforcement is now scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on March 23.

Wolf and Dr. Rachel Levine said they thought it was in the best interest of the public to close those businesses to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

For businesses that determine from the list that they are non-life sustaining, but would like to seek a waiver, there is an online waiver application. Business owners should fill out the form, and then the Department of Community and Economic Development will review it and respond.

The department is being tasked to base their decisions on the “guiding principle of balancing public safety while ensuring the continued delivery of critical infrastructure services and functions,” according to a department statement.

Those requesting a waiver will be notified via email if their operations may re-open. Businesses applying for a waiver must remain closed until a decision is made about their application.

Wolf’s list of businesses he considers as life-sustaining should check this list. The email address at DCED is ra-dcedcs@pa.gov, or call 1-877-PA-HEALTH and select option 1 to reach DCED staff.

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