As COVID-19 cases continue to decline and the state’s vaccination plan is amplified, the Wolf Administration announced revised and lifted mitigation restrictions that are effective statewide today.

“Pennsylvania is taking a measured approach to revising or lifting mitigation orders,” Gov. Wolf said. “The reason we are seeing cases drop can be attributed, in part, to people following the mitigation efforts we have in place. Mask-wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene are making a difference and need to continue even as we see more and more people fully vaccinated. We need to balance protecting public health with leading the state to a robust economic recovery. We are lifting mitigation efforts only when we believe it is safe to do so.”

The revised mitigations restrictions announced today include:

• Revised maximum occupancy limits for indoor events to allow for 15% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size. Core public health measures such as face covering (mask-wearing), social distancing, and hand hygiene still must be enforced. The 15% of maximum occupancy is permitted only if attendees and workers are able to comply with the 6-foot physical distancing requirement.
• Revised maximum occupancy limits for outdoor events to allow for 20% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size. Core public health measures such as face covering (mask-wearing), social distancing, and hand hygiene still must be enforced. The 20% of maximum occupancy is permitted only if attendees and workers are able to comply with the 6-foot physical distancing requirement.
• Eliminate out-of-state travel restrictions.  In November, the Department of Health provided an updated travel order requiring anyone over the age of 11 who visits from another state to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test or place themselves in a travel quarantine for 14 days upon entering Pennsylvania. Today, this order was rescinded. The current downward trend of cases nationwide and implementation of testing requirements and universal face covering on public transportation and transportation hubs are reducing the risk that interstate travel is a vector of disease transmission.

Along with these changes, there is caution. Reduced cases, hospitalizations and deaths, and the more than 2.3 million vaccinations are good signs, but the CDC advises that now is not the time to introduce expansive loosening of mitigation efforts known to put people at more risk. New cases of variants continue to appear, and some experts warn of a fourth surge in cases.

The state considered broad range of data for today’s announcement and when considering lifting additional restrictions including (all data is as of Feb. 26):

• Percent of population receiving at least one dose of vaccine: 14 percent of the population under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health has received at least one dose of vaccine; if you remove those under age 16, the percentage increases to 16.9.
• Percent positivity; this stands at 6.3%
• The incidence rate per 100,000 residents; this stands at 101.3 over a 7-day period; and
• Hospital bed capacity (availability) stands at 41%.

The Governor’s revised order on travel can be found here.

The Governor’s order for mitigation, enforcement and immunity protections can be found here.

The Acting Secretary of Health’s revised order on gatherings can be found here.

The Acting Secretary of Health’s order rescinding travel restrictions can be found here.

Find FAQs for the mitigation order changes here.

More information is available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

New Fund Helps Pocono Hospitality & Restaurant Workers Established in response to new PA COVID-19 restrictions

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Where can I apply for relief funds?
You can visit PoconoUnitedWay.org/covid-19 to apply to receive relief funds. The application will open on December 15, 2020 at 10:30 am.

What will I receive?
Eligible recipients will receive funds in the form of a $250 gift card or direct payment. Gift cards can be used as cash anywhere major credit cards are accepted. Cards will be provided by email or text message.

When will I be notified if I will receive a gift card?
If you have applied for the Hospitality and Restaurant Worker Relief Fund, you will receive an e-mail with information about whether it was approved or denied. Due to the volume of applications, we will not accept phone calls or emails requesting information about individual applications.

When do applications open?
Applications open December 15, 2020 at 10:30 am. Eligible applicants will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted.

Who is eligible?
All applicants must be 18 years or older and meet income guidelines.

Individuals who are currently employed or who have been employed in the last 60 days by a restaurant or hospitality business in the Pocono Mountains (employer located in Wayne, Pike, Monroe or Carbon County, PA are eligible to apply.

Individuals who reside in Wayne, Pike, Monroe or Carbon County, PA and who are currently employed or who have been employed in the last 60 days by a restaurant or hospitality business in Pennsylvania are eligible to apply.

What do I need to apply?
Eligibility criteria includes proof of employment at a restaurant or hospitality business (paystub, etc.), 2019 tax return, and a short description of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the applicant financially.

Can I apply if I am paid in cash?
All applicants must provide a paystub from within the last 60 days demonstrating their employment at a hospitality or restaurant business in the Pocono Mountains (Wayne, Pike, Monroe or Carbon County, PA). If a paystub is not provided the application will not be processed.

How can I use the funds?
Recipient may use the gift card as cash anywhere that major credit cards are accepted and should use funds to address immediate basic needs of themselves or their dependents, including rent, transportation, medical expenses or food.

Can I apply more than once?
Individuals will only be eligible to receive a gift card once every 365 days. Gift cards will not be awarded to the same individual twice within a 365 (one year) period.

Who can I contact if I need more help?
Hospitality and restaurant workers and their families may explore additional resources and options available by calling 211 or visiting 211.org for more information. Individual 211 agencies cannot apply for the fund on your behalf, you can only apply using the online application.

Where can I donate?
Visit PoconoUnitedWay.org/covid-19 to donate to the Hospitality and Restaurant Worker Relief Fund.