All 'Non-Life-Sustaining' Businesses In PA Must Close By 8 PM

HARRISBURG, PA — All "non-life-sustaining" businesses in Pennsylvania must close their physical locations as of 8 p.m. Thursday to slow the spread of coronavirus, Gov. Tom Wolf announced in an order.

Enforcement actions against businesses that do not close physical locations will begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, the governor's office said. Violators could face fines or even imprisonment.

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Wolf said the businesses must close because “this virus is an invisible danger that could be present everywhere. We need to act with the strength we use against any other severe threat. And, we need to act now before the illness spreads more widely.”

A list of life-sustaining businesses is here. They include grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies.

Several days ago, the governor had encouraged non-life-sustaining businesses to close to mitigate the spread of the virus, also known as COVID-19. Restaurants and bars were ordered to stop all dine-in services.

According to the governor's office, the governor is granted extraordinary powers upon his declaration of a disaster emergency.

"Failure to comply with these requirements will result in enforcement action that could include citations, fines, or license suspensions," the governor's office said.

State Police have already said they'll be strictly enforcing the rules for bars and restaurants that do not comply. Food establishments can still offer carry-out, delivery, and drive-through food and beverage service, including alcohol.

Enforcement will be done by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania State Police, and local agencies.

"Private businesses, local organizations and other noncompliant entities that fail or refuse to comply with the governor’s orders that protect the lives and health of Pennsylvanians will forfeit their ability to receive any applicable disaster relief and/or may be subject to other appropriate administrative action. Such action may include termination of state loan or grant funding, including Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project (RACP) grant funding and/or suspension or revocation of licensure for violation of the law," the order said.

As of Thursday, Pennsylvania had 185 cases of coronavirus. One person has died.