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My County Is in the “Green Phase.” What Am I Allowed to do?

June 23, 2020
Aaron S. Marines

Soon, most of Pennsylvania will be in the Green Phase of the Governor’s Plan for COVID-19 reopening.  If you are like me, you might be confused about exactly what the Green Phase allows.

It is not a complete return to the good old days of 2019 before we ever heard the words “novel coronavirus.”  There are still restrictions on businesses, gyms, restaurants and public gatherings.  Here is a reminder of what these Green Phase restrictions are, with lots of links to the specific CDC or State requirements.

Open at 50% Capacity

  • Restaurants and bars
  • Hair salons, barbershops, etc. (and by appointment only)
  • Indoor recreation like gyms and spas (appointments are strongly encouraged)
  • Indoor entertainment like theaters, casinos and malls
  • Businesses that were not permitted to be open with in-person operations in the Yellow Phase can have 50% occupancy in the Green Phase

Open with Restrictions

  • Construction
  • Child Care
  • Businesses that were permitted to be open with 50% occupancy in the Yellow Phase are allowed to operate at 75% occupancy in the Green Phase
  • Schools (subject to CDC Guidance)

Other Restrictions

Everyone should supplement these rules for the Green Phase with common sense.  If you feel sick, stay at home.  If you show symptoms of COVID-19, get tested.  If you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19, get tested. If you have the virus or had close contact with someone who has, self-quarantine for at least 14 days. Make sure that all of your employees and visitors understand these rules.

For more information on rules for aquatic facilities, check out my recent blog post here.

Hopefully we will continue to move in the right direction to protect our families and ourselves while we slowly get back to normal.

Aaron Marines is an attorney at Russell, Krafft & Gruber, LLP, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He received his law degree from Widener University and practices in a variety of areas including BusinessCommercial Real EstateLand Use, Land Planning and Zoning matters.