To mitigate the spread of coronavirus, Gov. Tom Wolf earlier this month recommended that all Pennsylvanians wear a mask any time they leave their homes.

A new order issued Wednesday makes that mandatory for anyone working or shopping at grocery stores and pharmacies. The order zeroes in on the safety of workers and customers at essential businesses.

The order issued by Wolf and Dr. Rachel Levine, Secretary of the Department of Health, goes into effect Sunday amid escalating numbers of coronavirus cases.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday confirmed 1,245 new coronavirus cases, raising the statewide total to 27,735. At least 707 people have died due to the virus, including 60 new deaths reported today,

Who now has to wear masks?

Under this week’s new order from Wolf anyone at grocery stores, markets and pharmacies. That includes employers, employees and customers, and impacts all businesses authorized to operate during the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the order employees and customers must wear face masks whenever on the premise of a business.

What does the order require businesses to do?

Provide face masks for all employees to wear while at work

Maintain a work environment that adheres to a social distancing protocol of 6 feet; including providing sufficient space for employees to have breaks and meals

Limit in-person meetings to 10 employees at one time; opt for virtual meetings and training

Schedule handwashing breaks for employees at least every hour

What are some of the other requirements for businesses under the order? It directs businesses to:

Reduce large gatherings of employees as well as customers

Stagger work start and stop times for employees

Install shields or other barriers at registers and check-out areas to physically separate cashiers and customers

Close lines to maintain a social distance between of 6 feet between lines

Limit occupancy to no greater than 50 percent of their certified occupancy

Use signage throughout the premise to ensure social distancing for customers and employees.

Can employees use homemade masks or must masks be provided by the employer?

Yes, employees can use homemade masks, but employers need to ensure that they meet the guidance from the Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.

What’s the main impacts of the order on customers?

They are required to wear masks any time they are in a grocery store, pharmacy or other business that is authorized to be open during the pandemic.

Can a business deny entry to individuals not wearing masks?

Yes, but it gets tricky. The order makes exceptions for businesses that provide medication, medical supplies or food. In those cases, the business must provide pick-up or delivery service.

Is anyone exempt from the mask requirement? Yes: individuals who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition. No medical documentation is required under the order.

Does the order help ensure to customers that places of business are cleaned properly? Yes, it provides guidance on cleaning, including directing businesses to:

Alter hours of business to allow time to clean

Use every other register, or fewer, and hourly rotate the use of register lines

Clean registers, credit card machines, carts and handbaskets

Is the order mandatory?

According to the Wolf administration, failure to comply with the requirements could lead to citations, fines or license suspensions.

READ MORE: Here’s a link to our full coronavirus coverage

The order includes requirements for businesses that have outbreaks of COVID-19 or positive coronavirus cases.

Under the order, any business dealing with a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19 is ordered to:

implement temperature screenings for employees

dismiss for the day any employee with an elevated temperature of or above 100.4 degrees

implement liberal paid time off for employees who are on home isolation (this is a recommendation)

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