Pennsylvania has cracked the door open a little more and as of Friday, will begin to allow indoor and outdoor gatherings at higher rates than it has since March.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday that he is allowing for increased capacity at both indoor and outdoor gatherings at the following rates, according to a chart released by the state:

Source: Pennsylvania Pressroom

The new occupancy rates differ greatly from the former restrictions and allows for nearly all outdoor and indoor venues to increase their temporary capacity limits. Previously the state was allowing only 25 people for an indoor event – 250 for an outdoor event – no matter what the venue capacity is.

With the change, this opens the door for things like sports teams – high school, college and professional – wedding venues, concert halls, movie theaters, and other groups that host large gatherings to possibly increase the number of people they allow to their events.

The changes come on the heels of a federal court ruling last week that allowed the state to continue with its enforcement of its events and gatherings restrictions. A lower court in September had blocked the state enforcing the restrictions, calling them “unconstitutional.”

This continues to have nothing to do with capacity limits on bars and restaurants, as Wolf has addressed capacity limits for those establishments in a different order.

Starting Friday, businesses can follow these capacity limits without any additional approval from the state. But the state does have the capability to fine or penalize businesses that exceed the new limits, so it is in the best interest of the business to comply with the new requirements.

If you have any questions about these restrictions, please contact me or any other member of the Barley Snyder COVID-19 Response Service Team.