Harrisburg, PA – Please properly wear a mask when in public, especially for the sake of our local businesses and workers.
As a customer, when you go to support these businesses in person and correctly wearing a mask, you’re helping the business avoid a fine and you’re also helping to slow the spread of COVID-19.
We want to help keep the business owners, employees, and other customers safe. We appreciate our small businesses, and the best way to show our support is to continue spending money locally and continue to show them that we care about their health and safety.
Please be kind to local business owners and employees and follow any guidelines they might have in place on their property.
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Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin, and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding reminded Pennsylvanians to wear masks while shopping and dining to protect and support our local businesses.
“Mask-wearing is much more than a requirement; it is a sign of support and respect for our local businesses,” Gov. Wolf said. “Pennsylvania businesses have made significant sacrifices over the past few months and now they are relying on us as consumers to help keep their doors open. Wearing a mask protects everyone from the virus and shows our respect and support for businesses and their employees. They mask-up each day and take other important health and safety measures to protect us and provide us with the goods and services we need and want.”
All businesses with in-person operations should follow the building and business safety guidelines issued by the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Specifically, workers and customers must wear a mask when working, shopping, and dining, and employers should provide workers with masks who need them.
Guidance for businesses are available for Pennsylvania businesses.
“Pennsylvania is opening back up, and with that freedom comes responsibility. We all need to mask up when visiting the restaurants, salons, and storefronts across the commonwealth,” said DCED Sec. Davin. “By asking patrons to wear masks, Pennsylvania’s business owners are stepping up to ensure that their customers and employees feel comfortable and safe. To keep Pennsylvania working, we all need to work together to stop the spread of coronavirus.”
Research shows that mask-wearing reduces risk of infection from COVID-19, while not wearing a mask greatly increase a person’s chances of being infected by this contagious and deadly virus.
“We want Pennsylvanians to get out and about, it’s important for our mental health to get back to some semblance of normal. But things still aren’t normal, and that’s why you need to wear a mask. Wearing a mask gives you freedom and minimizes risk,” said Secretary Redding. “Wear one for your community and your family. Wear one so that the friendly face you see at the farmers market each week is always there. And most importantly, wear one so that Pennsylvania can continue moving forward.”
Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine signed an order mandating mask-wearing on July 1. It remains in effect. Frequently Asked Questions about the mask-wearing order can be found here.
