mask-mandate
Businesses react to return of Philadelphia’s mask mandate
But while some are supportive, several businesses and residents have filed suit in state court in Pennsylvania seeking to overturn Philadelphia’s renewed indoor mask mandate.
Year in review: The top 5 Capital-Star stories of 2021
From mask mandates and election investigations, to COVID-19 and lawmaker arrests, there was no shortage of important stories to tell in 2021.
Pa.’s top health official to resign from position by end of year, Wolf administration announces
The announcement comes three days after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled against the universal mask mandate, enacted earlier this fall by Beam, for K-12 schools and childcare centers.
Pa. Supreme Court hears arguments over Wolf administration’s K-12 mask mandate
Gov. Tom Wolf announced last month that local school districts — but not child care facilities — would have power over masking policies, beginning Jan. 17.
Pa.’s K-12 mask mandate to remain in effect amid Supreme Court appeal
In an order issued Tuesday afternoon, the state’s highest court reinstated the mandate, enacted in September by acting state Health Secretary Alison Beam, for everyone in Pennsylvania public schools and child care facilities regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status.
Pa. mask mandate must expire in December, state court judge says
Absent further legal action, Pennsylvania’s universal mask mandate for K-12 schools and child care facilities will end in December, a state judge said Tuesday.
Pa. court panel voids Wolf admin’s school mask order; Wolf admin appeals to state Supreme Court
The court's order has been stayed with the appeal to state Supreme Court, the administration said
Pa. judges hear arguments in two mask mandate court challenges
Opponents of the mask mandate argue that it’s invalid because it did not go through the regulatory review process, violates religious freedom, and interferes with the right to free public education.
Health Department responds to ‘bullying’ accusation, says lawmaker took information out of context
“The letter in question has been used since the beginning of the pandemic — nearly 20 months — and is sent to close contacts — or their parent [or] guardian with quarantine instructions only in situations where the individual is uncooperative and refuses to quarantine."
Responding to frustrations, Health Department says it’s working on communication with K-12 schools
“Of course, this school year has caused a lot of questions with a lot of schools operating in-person, and we’re doing our best to evolve our process to be more responsive,” acting state Health Secretary Alison Beam said.
Pa. House GOP splits, votes down vouchers for closed schools, mask requirements
The conflicts at play in Sonney’s amendment and DelRosso’s underlying bill — between public and private education, and how to respond to the pandemic — join one long running debate with a more current flash point.
Pa. Senate panel advances proposal to opt-out of K-12 mask mandate
A since-retracted German study has served as the backbone for Sen. Doug Mastriano’s opposition to the mask mandate and false claims that wearing face-coverings causes adverse health effects