Hide Transcript Show Transcript

COUNTY. NEWS 8'S ANN SHANNON IS HERE WITH MORE ON WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD TO SAY. >> THEY ARE CALLING ON BARS, ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS VENUES AND THEATERS TO CLOSE AFTER MIDNIGHT ACROSS THE STATE. HE MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT DURING HIS DAILY PRESS BRIEFING. RESTAURANTS WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE TAKEOUT. PROGRAMS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WILL ALSO BE CLOSED. MUNICIPAL SERVICES LIKE TRASH COLLECTION, PHARMACIES, MEDICAL FACILITIES, GROCERY STORES AND GAS STATIONS WILL REMAIN OPEN. >> THIS ISN'T A DECISION THAT I TAKE LIGHTLY AT ALL. IT'S ONE THAT I'M MAKING BECAUSE MEDICAL EXPERTS BELIEVE IT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN PREVENT OUR HOSPITALS FROM BEING OVERWHELMED BY PATIENTS. >> THESE RESTRICTIONS WILL LIKELY BE IN PLACE FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. THE GOVERNOR SAYS THIS IS NOT A TIME FOR FEAR OR PANIC, BUT SAYS WE DO NEED TO TAKE

Advertisement All nonessential stores urged to shut down across Pennsylvania due to coronavirus WGAL News 8 coronavirus update Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf is strongly recommending the closing of all nonessential stores in the state due to the coronavirus pandemic. The governor's directive went into effect at midnight.Wolf made the announcement at a Monday afternoon news conference. The closures will be in effect for two weeks.“This isn’t a decision that I take lightly at all. It’s one that I’m making because medical experts believe it is the only way we can prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed by patients,” Wolf said. "Effective at midnight all nonessential stores are to close in Pennsylvania."Restaurants and bars, except for take-out service, were also urged to close for the next two weeks.While the closures were recommended for two weeks, Wolf said they will be constantly re-evaluating, and the mitigation efforts will be lifted as soon as possible. Stores that can remain open include:Grocery storesMedical facilitiesEssential municipal services, such as trash collection, will continue.Gov. urges residents to avoid physical contacts“I know for all of us the next few weeks are going to be challenging. There’s no reason to be fearful or to panic however. But we need to take this disease seriously. So please, stay home,” Wolf said. "For example, if you need to go to the pharmacy, go to the pharmacy to fill a prescription. Just do that. But don’t stop at several other stores or places on the way and make contact with a dozen other people. The fewer contacts you make, the less likely you are to get the disease and the fewer people you’re going to spread it to."Stay with WGAL for updates on this developing story. What's nonessential and essential?According to a news release from the governor's office:"Nonessential businesses include public-facing industries such as entertainment, hospitality, and recreation facilities, including but not limited to community and recreation centers; gyms, including yoga, barre and spin facilities; hair salons and barber shops, nail salons and spas; casinos; concert venues; theaters; sporting event venues and golf courses; retail facilities, including shopping malls except for pharmacy or other health care facilities within retail operations. "Further, the Governor has ordered that all restaurants and bars close their dine-in facilities to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Businesses that offer carry-out, delivery, and drive-through food and beverage service may continue to do so, but eating and drinking inside restaurants and bars is temporarily prohibited. These businesses offering carry-out, delivery, and drive-through food and beverage should employ social distancing best practices and be aware of the Trump Administration's guidance to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people. "Essential services and sectors include but are not limited to food processing, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, feed mills, construction, trash collection, grocery and household goods (including convenience stores), home repair/hardware and auto repair, pharmacy and other medical facilities, biomedical and healthcare, post offices and shipping outlets, insurance, banks, gas stations, laundromats, veterinary clinics and pet stores, warehousing, storage, and distribution, public transportation, and hotel and commercial lodging."Although these businesses may remain open, the Wolf Administration continues to encourage them to employ social distancing practices, and encourages Pennsylvanians to be thoughtful in their visits. "Other businesses, including but not limited to legal services, business and management consulting, professional services and insurance services are encouraged to have employees work remotely or telecommute. If that is not possible, they should employ social distancing best practices and be aware of the Trump Administration's guidance to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people."