The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
BUSINESSES
CASES
Cases confirmed in Pennsylvania have exceeded 95, as of Tuesday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. About two-thirds of confirmed cases have been in southeastern Pennsylvania. The majority of testing is now being done by private labs.
Health officials have said most of the people affected were in isolation at home, with a handful being treated at hospitals.
The virus that has stricken tens of thousands
The Pennsylvania chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses said Tuesday that Gov. Tom Wolf’s effort to close down nonessential businesses to combat the spread of the virus had confused many of its members.
Wolf late Monday finetuned his guidance, saying he was strongly urging businesses to close doors temporarily.
The business group said it was inundated with questions and asked for more clarity from the administration.
Smaller businesses and those with low cash reserves could be ruined, and many have closed and laid off workers, the state NFIB said. Wolf said restaurants should limit their sales to takeout, drivethrough or delivery, an action he said he has the authority to enforce.
In an open letter to its members released Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association called Wolf’s action difficult, but in the interest of public health.
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This story has been updated to correct that Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian service runs to Pittsburgh, not Chicago.