(KDKA) - As COVID-19 cases continue to increase throughout the state, Pennsylvania is implementing additional COVID-19 mitigation efforts. The latest restriction is the prohibition of alcohol sales on one of the most popular drinking nights of the year.
As of 5pm on Wednesday (11/25), the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption in the Commonwealth is prohibited at restaurants, bars and catered functions. That rule, the administration says, is only in effect on Wednesday. As a result, it's possible that PA Fine Wine and Good Spirits stores could see more traffic this week.
Thanksgiving eve is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year. Governor Wolf said as people gather and drink more together, infections can increase. "When people get together in that situation, it leads to an increase in the exchange of the fluids that leads to increased infection," said Wolf during a press conference Monday. "This is one of the many steps we're taking to say, if we all do this together, we're going to defeat this virus. That's what we should be focused on."
"As our hospitals and health care system are facing greater strain, we need to redouble our efforts to keep people safe," Governor Tom Wolf said. "If our health care system is compromised, it isn't only COVID-19 patients who will suffer. If we run out of hospital beds, or if hospital staff are over-worked to the breaking point, care will suffer for every patient – including those who need emergency care for illnesses, accidents, or chronic conditions unrelated to COVID-19."
On Monday, the Department of Health confirmed that there were 4,762 new cases of COVID 19 across the state, bringing the total to 314,401.
In addition, a stay-at-home advisory has been issued for the entire state of Pennsylvania. Residents are asked to only leave home for essentials and for work or school. When leaving the home, masks are required to be worn. Unnecessary in and out of the state is discouraged as is gathering with members of other households.
Last week, Allegheny County issued a stay-at-home advisory for county residents.
The state says it's also mandatory for schools to comply with the state's newest updates related to COVID-19 mitigation. Those schools that don't, will be required to suspend all in-person classes and move to online learning only as well as suspend all extracurricular activities.
"All of us have a responsibility to slow the spread of this virus so our children can stay or return to the classroom," Gov. Wolf said.
The Wolf administration has updated updated occupancy rate for both indoor and outdoor events. Maximum occupancy rate is now 10% for indoors and 15% for outdoors for events that are 2,000 people or less.
For events over that would normally allow 2,000 people, those rates drop to 5% and 10% respectively. Outdoor events that would normally allow over 10,000 people can now only allow 5%.
For businesses, the Wolf administration says telecommuting is required unless it is not possible.
Online shopping and curbside pick-up are encouraged for all shopping as we head into what would typically be the one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, starting with Black Friday.
Wolf said law enforcement will be increasing their efforts to enforce the mitigation rules in the state.
The Wolf administration says December projections show that the state could see daily case counts around 22,000.
