Masks must now be worn across Pennsylvania whenever a person leaves home, according to an order signed by Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine.
Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday that the order takes effect immediately.
#COVID19 UPDATE: In Pennsylvania, masks must now be worn whenever anyone leaves home.
This is essential to stopping the recent increase in #COVID19 cases in Pennsylvania.
More about this requirement: https://t.co/86fURayk6c pic.twitter.com/XuK38ALi2V
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) July 1, 2020
“This mask-wearing order is essential to stopping the recent increase in COVID-19 cases we have seen in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Wolf said.
“Those hot spots can be traced to situations where Pennsylvanians were not wearing masks or practicing social distancing – two practices that must be adhered to if we want to maintain the freedoms we have in place under our reopening.”
The order outlines the situations when a mask must be worn and includes limited exceptions to the face-covering requirement.
As of Wednesday, officials have confirmed more than 84,750 coronavirus cases statewide. More than 6,500 have died in Pennsylvania of COVID-19.
The Cox Media Group National Content Desk contributed to this report.
