PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Despite the number of COVID-19 cases plateauing lately, Pennsylvania officials don’t plan to ease any restrictions ahead of the new year.
“We have been seeing a plateau, maybe a slight decrease in the number of new cases,” said Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine. “We are not going to be changing our mitigation orders, but we will be discussing what the plan will be on Jan. 4. But, there is no plan to change things for this week.”
Those statewide COVID-19 restrictions went into effect on Dec. 12, temporarily closing indoor dining, gyms and entertainment venues, among other restrictions. The orders are set to expire on Jan. 4.
COVID-19 cases across the state have actually started to decrease, though Levine believes that may be because fewer people got tested during the week of Christmas.
“But also I think it is the impact of the series of mitigation measures that the governor and I put into place in December,” she noted.
Further mitigation efforts will be based on what happens over Christmas and New Year’s, when health officials predict a surge in cases.
“It’s critically important during the holiday weeks as we approach New Year’s for people to continue their mitigation efforts, to continue to avoid large and small gatherings, and really not to get together in gatherings over New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.”
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Levine said she’s aware of some bars and restaurants that are staying open despite the restrictions, and she said they are being dealt with. Anyone going to these places, she said, is putting themselves and their loved ones at risk.
“Last week, there were a number of injunctions against those facilities ordering them to close. What I would say to the facilities and the patrons of those facilities is, I worry for their health.”
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