It’s being to look like mask wearing will once again become commonplace in the Pittsburgh area.
With COVID cases rising in the area, Allegheny County moved into the “substantial” category of transmission Monday.
With that comes recommendation from the CDC to mask up indoors (that includes those that are vaccinated).
The CDC has four levels of transmission: love, moderate, substantial and high. Until Monday, Allegheny County was in the substantial category.
On Monday evening Giant Eagle announced they are returning to a face mask policy at their stores. Employees will begin masking up on Wednesday, with the requirement going into effect Friday for customers.
Joining Giant Eagle on Monday are Kennywood and Sandcastle and PPG Paints Arena.
Masks should be worn in inside areas of Kennywood and Sandcastle (restrooms, retail stores, restaurants, etc.).
Being Tuesday night with the James Taylor concert, PPG Paints Arena is also reinstating a mask policy.
“Out of an abundance of caution with Allegheny County reaching the designated threshold of new cases, PPG Paints Arena will begin following guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending that all guests entering the arena wear masks,” a statement from the Penguins said.
Penguins Vice President of Public Affairs, Tim McNulty, tells KDKA Radio they, “will follow whatever CDC, state or county health authorities advise.”
Some restaurants are also beginning to implement proof of vaccination.
Leo Public House and Lola Bistro (both on the North Side) announced on social media that beginning on Wednesday, August 4, “proof of full vaccination and identification required.”
That requirement is for indoor dining only and not for takeout.
While the mask mandates may upset some, private businesses can implement their own policy in an effort to keep their guests as safe as possible.
The recent surge in COVID-19 cases is being blamed on the high contagious Delta variant that experts say can infect twice as many people as the original strain that began showing up late in 2019.
While “breakthrough” cases of coronavirus are happening in those vaccinated, experts say the shot helps those infected to experience milder to no symptoms and greatly reduces the chances of hospitalization.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health says that 675,098 residents are vaccinated with 63,004 people receiving at least one shot.
55.08 percent of the population in Allegheny County is fully vaccinated from COVID-19, 60.23 percent have at least one dose.