Masks must now be worn whenever anyone leaves home, according to a new order signed by Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. Gov. Tom Wolf announced on Wednesday that the order takes effect immediately. “This mask-wearing order is essential to stopping the recent increase in COVID-19 cases we have seen in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Wolf said. “Those hot spots can be traced to situations where Pennsylvanians were not wearing masks or practicing social distancing – two practices that must be adhered to if we want to maintain the freedoms we have in place under our reopening.” The order outlines the situations when a mask must be worn and includes limited exceptions to the face-covering requirement. The mask-wearing order will be sent to state and local officials, law enforcement and others tasked with education about the order for those not in compliance.
Face coverings are required if you are:
- Outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet from individuals who are not a member of your household.In any indoor location where members of the public are generally permitted.
- Waiting for, riding on, driving, or operating public transportation or while in a taxi, private car service or ride-sharing service.
- Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, veterinary clinic or blood bank.
- Engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when interacting in-person with any member of the public, working in any space visited by members of the public, working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others, working in or walking through common areas, or in any room or enclosed area where other people, expect for members of the person’s own household or residence, are present when unable to physically distance.
The order says individuals are not required to show documentation that an exception applies.