On April 22, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf announced his detailed plan for reopening Pennsylvania with a targeted May 8th start. The administration will categorize reopening into three phases: red, yellow, green. Phases will be assigned based on conditions in a county, counties or region.
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s website has helpful resources and guidance for businesses in the yellow phase, including:
- Guidance for businesses permitted to operate
- Building safety and business safety orders that can be referenced and shared
- Workplace safety FAQs
Businesses in the Yellow Phase
On May 4, 2020, Governor Wolf has issued guidance for procedures that businesses must follow to conduct in-person operations in counties that have moved into the yellow phase. This new guidance is based on the building safety and business safety orders, which nearly all life-sustaining businesses have been operating.
Under the yellow phase of reopening, life-sustaining businesses that could not conduct either all or part of their operations via telework will continue to conduct their operations in-person, and many non-life-sustaining businesses will be permitted to restart their in-person operations through the loosening of some restrictions under the stay-at-home and business closure orders.
Social Restrictions
- In-Person Retail Allowable, Curbside and Delivery Preferable
- Indoor Recreation, Health and Wellness Facilities and Personal Care Services (such as gyms, spas, hair salons, nail salons and other entities that provide massage therapy), and all Entertainment (such as casinos, theaters) Remain Closed
- Restaurants and Bars Limited to Carry-Out and Delivery Only
Requirements for Communicating with Employees and On-site Costumers
Businesses conducting in-person operations or serving the public are required to make employees and customers aware of the guidance provided by the commonwealth to keep people at their establishment safe. In addition, businesses are required to publicly acknowledge their responsibility to conduct their operations to ensure the health and safety of employees.
Businesses must print, sign, and post the “COVID-19 Safety Procedures for Businesses” flyer on their premises. Businesses must post the signed flyer in employee common space and, if the business serves the public, the business must also post the flyer near the business’s public entrance(s) in prominent location(s).
Businesses must sign the flyer on the space provided. The signature is an acknowledgement that the owner or management is aware of the COVID-19 safety procedures and understands their responsibilities to carry out the guidance and procedures.
