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Governor Wolf Eases Restrictions Even More, Increases Gathering Limits

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has once again revised state policies to ease targeted restrictions on restaurants and gathering limits, citing increasing vaccination rates and decreasing COVID-19 cases across the commonwealth.

Beginning Sunday, April 4, restaurants can resume regular bar service and serve alcohol without the purchase of food. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s indoor dining capacity has been raised to 75% for those that remain self-certified and still “strictly comply” with public health and safety guidelines, like wearing masks and social distancing up to 6 feet apart.

“Pennsylvanians have stepped up and done their part of help curb the spread of COVID-19,” Wolf said in a statement. “Our case counts continue to go down, hospitalizations are declining, and the percent positivity rate gets lower every week – all very positive signs. The number of people getting vaccinated increases daily and we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel. It’s time to allow our restaurants, bars and other service businesses to get back to more normal operations.”

Wolf also bumped occupancy capacity up to 75% for a number of other businesses, including gyms, casinos, theaters, and malls.

Maximum occupancy limits for indoor event venues now sit at 25%, regardless of size. Outdoor venues, meanwhile, are capped at 50%.

Wolf’s revised guidelines certainly seem like good news for Penn State and Happy Valley, especially as annual events like Arts Fest and Blue-White grow near. Although Penn State football hasn’t formed concrete plans for its yearly spring game, head coach James Franklin said a decision could come “sooner rather than later.”

“There’s some discussions going on with that at the university level right now,” Franklin said Monday. “We want to get to as close to possible as normal by next season.”

In theory, Pennsylvania’s current guidelines could allow more than 50,000 fans into Beaver Stadium next month. However, under state guidelines, stricter local restrictions take precedence. State College’s ordinance that enforces mask-wearing and prohibits large gatherings currently remains in effect through the end of May. Penn State would likely need to reevaluate its own rules, too.

Regardless, the news bodes well for Penn State’s graduation and planned return to full in-person instruction next fall. In late January, the university said it was “exploring options” for in-person commencement ceremonies this spring.

Although the light at the end of the tunnel seems to only be growing lately, Wolf cautioned that taking precautions against the pandemic remain important, even as restrictions ease.

“We’ve come so far and now is not the time to stop the safety measures we have in place to protect ourselves, our families and our communities,” Wolf said. “Keep wearing a mask, social distancing, and, please, get vaccinated when it’s your turn.”

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About the Author

Matt DiSanto

Matt proudly served as Onward State’s managing editor for two years until graduating from Penn State in May 2022. Now, he’s off in the real world doing real things. Send him an email ([email protected]) or follow him on Twitter (@mattdisanto_) to stay in touch.

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