Pennsylvania Issues New Mask Guidelines

Press release from the Township of Whitemarsh:

November 19, 2020

In response to a rise in COVID-19 cases, Pennsylvania has announced new mitigation efforts. The efforts address mask wearing, the health care system, travel and colleges and universities.

Click here to review the announcement on the efforts

The new mask order applies to every indoor facility, including homes, retail establishments, gyms, doctors’ offices, public transportation, and anywhere food is prepared, packaged or served. It states:

• Masks are required to be worn indoors and outdoors if you are away from your home.
• When outdoors, a mask must be worn if you are not able to remain physically distant (at least 6 feet away) from someone not in your household the entire time you are outdoors.
• When indoors, masks will now be required even if you are physically distant from members not in your household. This means that even if you are able to be 6 feet apart, you will need to wear a mask while inside if with people other than members of your household.

The state's order also addresses athletics.

"Indoors: Coaches, athletes (including cheerleaders), and spectators must wear face coverings, when indoors and where another person or persons who are not members of the individual's household are present in the same space, irrespective of physical distance. This includes while actively engaged in workouts, competition, and on the sidelines, etc."

"Outdoors: Coaches, athletes (including cheerleaders), and spectators must wear face coverings if they cannot maintain sustained physical distance from persons outside of their household. This includes while actively engaged in workouts, competition, and on the sidelines, in the dugout, etc. If sustained six-foot distancing can be maintained, face coverings may be removed when outdoors."

Click here for FAQ on the mask wearing order

The Township encourages residents to follow all health guidelines, including recommendations on limiting Thanksgiving celebrations.

Click here for Pennsylvania's Coronavirus Monitoring Dashboard

This press release was produced by the Township of Whitemarsh .The views expressed here are the author’s own.