The Lead

COVID-19: Where are State Police finding the open businesses that Wolf ordered to close?

By: Stephen Caruso - March 24, 2020 2:01 pm

Pa. State Police SUV (Pa. State Police Facebook Page

In an order issued last week, Gov. Tom Wolf said that only “life-sustaining” businesses — including grocery stores, gas stations, manufacturing and warehousing — can remain open to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania.

All other non-essential businesses were ordered to close. That includes most retail outlets, concert and sporting venues, as well as restaurants and bars’ dining rooms. As of 8 a.m. Monday, March 23, state and local police can now warn and cite businesses still open in violation of Wolf’s order.

Business groups aren’t thrilled with the decision. And the Wolf administration is now evaluating waiver applications for businesses that wish to stay open.

But where are the businesses that aren’t following Wolf’s orders?

Below is a map of where the State Police have issued warnings to businesses staying open, divided by the troopers’ 15 different regions.

“We found the overwhelming majority of people and businesses across the commonwealth are voluntarily complying with the order and doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19,” State Police Commissioner Col. Robert Evanchick, said in a statement.

The police are initially providing warnings, Evanchick said, to push for voluntary compliance. But stricter enforcement will follow as needed, he said.

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Stephen Caruso

Stephen Caruso is a former senior reporter with Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Before working with the Capital-Star he covered Pennsylvania state government for The PLS Reporter.