Wolf eases limits on gatherings

Travel restrictions also lifted; PPL Center could welcome more fans Wednesday to see Phantoms as groups cheer changes

HARRISBURG — In a move welcomed by the Lehigh Valley’s beleaguered sports and entertainment venues, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday loosened

C OVID -19 gathering size limits and rescinded restrictions involving testing and quarantines for out-ofstate travelers.

Wolf tied the actions, which were effective immediately, to declines in virus case counts and progress in the state’s vaccination plan. He said Pennsylvania is taking a “measured approach” to lifting restrictions.

“The reason we are seeing cases drop can be attributed, in part, to people following the mitigation efforts we have in place ,” Wolf said.

The news was met with positive reaction, but some leaders pushed for further easing of gathering limits and restaurant restrictions.

The new gathering rule sets a limit of 15% of maximum occupancy for indoor events, regardless of the size of the venue, and 20% of maximum occupancy for outdoor events, regardless of venue size.

A prior version of the restrictions was tiered based on the size of the venue. The new limits mean the largest indoor venues can go from 10% of capacity to 15% of capacity.

That’s a slight win, according to John Longstreet, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association.

“We are happy that there is some movement, but we are not happy with the amount of progress,” Longstreet said.

The previous requirement that travelers entering the state have a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine for a time was a damper on business, Longstreet said.

Monday’ s move by Wolf, he said, will open travel to the state and produce tax revenue that benefits everyone.

Tony Iannelli, president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, applauded Wolf’ s move but hoped restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings would be further loosened, and soon.

State Sen. Lisa Boscola, a Northampton County Democrat, welcomed the announcement but was disappointed it left in place most restaurant restrictions — such as a requirement that food be purchased if alcohol is served, and a ban on the use of bar seating.

“This gives them a little bit of hope going forward,” she said, but many people want a fleshed-out plan with more details on loosening of restrictions.

Hope for sports, entertainment

The Pittsburgh Penguins said it would allow 2,800 fans into PPG Paints Arena for Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers. It will be the Pens’ first home game with fans since a victory over Montreal on March 8.

Pittsburgh Pirates President Travis Williams said opening day at PNC Park “will be much more than a game. It will mark a significant step in overcoming this pandemic.”

In Philadelphia, the Wells Fargo Center said it would quickly allow fans into Flyers and 76ers games if city officials give the go-ahead.

“We’re ready to safely welcome fans back to Broad Street, and as soon as the city further eases its restrictions, we will have Flyers and 76ers fans in the building within days,” said Valerie Camillo, president of business operations for the Flyers and Wells Fargo Center.

Kurt Landes, general manager of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, hopes future announcements signal along-awaited return of fans to Coca-Cola Park.

“Fingers crossed this is the start of more announcements allowing us to fill Coca-Cola Park with fans again,” Landes said on Twitter.

Allentown’s PPL Center also welcomed the news.

“This is absolutely huge,” said Gunnar Fox, vice president and general manager of PPL Center. “We aren’ t having sold-out hockey games and shows yet, but it’s a huge step in the right direction.”

Fox said the Le high Valley Phantom s season will feel the immediate effects of the eased restrictions. So far, a very limited number of season ticket holders have been able to attend games, but Fox expects to make more tickets available to season-ticket holders for Wednesday’s game and a broader release of tickets for future games.

More information will be released in the future.

It’s been more than a year since PP L Center hosted a concert. Now, PP L Center officials can start planning with concert promote rs.

Fox said upgrades to the venue in the past year include contactless ticket-scanning and food and beverage sales, and a major H VA C upgrade. Tickets also will be sold in “pods,” or groupings, to allow for 6 feet of space between groups of fans.

“We have everything ready. People can come back and feel safe,” Fox said.

Masking continues

A Wolf administration news release noted that “core public health measures,” including mask-wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene, must still be enforced.

A broad range of data was considered before the decision to ease restrictions was made, according to Wolf.

Among other things, 14% of the population under Health Department jurisdiction has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot; the positive-test rate has declined to 6.3%; the incidence rate per 100,000 residents is 101.3 over a seven-day period; and hospital bed availability is at 41%.

In addition, Pennsylvania’s seven-day moving average of newly reported coronavirus cases was 2,607 on Monday, up slightly from a week ago but about one-quarter of its mid-December peak.

“We need to balance protecting public health with leading the state to a robust economic recovery,” Wolf said. “We are lifting mitigation efforts only when we believe it is safe to do so.”

The announcement came five days before the one-year mark of the COVID-19 crisis in Pennsylvania.Wolf announced the first cases in the state March 6.