Masks Now Mandated At PA Stores: What To Know About Gov's Order

HARRISBURG, PA — Under a new order issued Wednesday by Gov. Tom Wolf, all shoppers at essential businesses must wear a mask into the store. If not, the store should turn them away.

"Our mitigation effort have been successful but they need to continue," Health Secretary Rachel Levine said during a Thursday afternoon press conference. "We need to do everything we can to spread of this dangerous virus, COVID-19."

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One of those steps is making all shoppers wear masks if they go to an essential businesses permitted to remain open, such as the grocery store or pharmacy.

Here's what to know about the new order:

Who has to wear a mask and where?

The order mandates all employees and shoppers at essential businesses, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, wear masks.

What happens if I don't wear one?

The business should turn away any customer who enters a businesses without a mask, the order states. If the person arriving at the store does not have a mask, they should be asked to go home and get one, Levine said during a Thursday news conference.

Who provides the mask?

If you're shopping at an essential business, it is your responsibility to bring a mask or cloth face covering. For employees, masks should be provided by their employers, if necessary. Employers may approve masks obtained or made by employees.

This pandemic has been going on since March. Why do we have to do this now?

Levine said the masks are aimed to protect the "very brave workers" who are stocking store shelves and ensuring we have groceries during the pandemic. "The best way to protect them is for everyone to wear a mask," she said.

The order, which builds on the governor's April 3 recommendation that all residents wear masks in public, states that stores must require all customers to wear masks while at a business, and that entry to the business should be denied to those not wearing masks.

What other safety measures are included in the governor's new order?

The order establishes additional hygiene and safety precautions, including processes like temperature checks if COVID-19 exposure occurs at a business. It also outlines cleaning practices post exposure, as well as mandating social distancing-friendly break rooms for essential businesses. More information is here.

Is this order enforceable?

Yes. Businesses in violation of the many safety measures included in the order could face citations, fines, or license suspensions. Compliance with the order will be enforced beginning Sunday, April 19 at 8 p.m., the governor's office said. You can view the full order here.

What kind of mask do I need?

Gov. Wolf has previously said the public should reserve N95 masks for health care workers and is asking residents to wear a homemade or cloth mask if they must go out for essential items.

Where do I get a mask?

You can make one out of a piece of cloth or a bandana. The state has provided these guidelines and instructions for people to make their own mask. There are numerous online tutorials for making face masks on YouTube. Online retailers, including Etsy, are currently selling the cloth masks, but shipping times vary.

Does a mask protect me from getting sick?

Most likely not, experts say. Cloth masks are mainly used to prevent germs from spreading. Gov. Wolf said in his initial announcement on mask wearing that while cloth masks help prevent people from sharing illnesses, "they don't do a great job at keeping people from getting sick." It is critical, he said, "that our first act is to ask ourselves if we really need to leave our house. If we don't really, truly need to leave, then we shouldn't."

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