Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered the closure of all non-life-sustaining businesses at 8 p.m. Thursday in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Enforcement actions against businesses that do not close physical locations will begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, March 21.
Click here to read Gov. Wolf's full list of businesses.
“I had hoped for voluntary compliance so our public safety officials could focus on assisting with the crisis," Wolf said in a video statement. "Unfortunately we have not seen full compliance. We have no time to lose.”
Under Wolf's order, more than 150 types of businesses have been told to close their physical locations.
Wolf said his order would be enforced by state troopers, local officials, the state Health and Agriculture departments and the Liquor Control Board.
Businesses that fail to comply risk citations, fines or license suspensions, and "forfeit their ability to receive any applicable disaster relief and/or may be subject to other appropriate administrative action," Wolf's office said in a statement.
Criminal prosecution is also a possibility, with violators subject to fines or imprisonment, Wolf's office said.
Businesses that remain open must practice social distancing and other measures to protect workers and patrons from contracting the virus, it said.
Allowed to stay open are gas stations, grocery stores, beer distributors, drugstores and building materials stores. Restaurants and bars can continue to offer carry-out, delivery and drive-thru food and drink service, but not dine-in service.
Businesses under shutdown orders range from coal mines to building contractors to many types of manufacturers, plus professional offices including law firms and accounting offices.
Retailers ordered to close include car dealers, clothing stores, furniture stores, florists, office supply stores and lawn and garden stores.
NOTE from CSPD: While these measures appear to be getting more drastic, they are in direct response to the fact that voluntary compliance with social distance advice is not being heeded. Please, please .. of all the safety messages we are distributing, by far the potentially most effective will be to stay away from each other as much as practical.
Stay calm, stay safe.....if at all possible ...STAY HOME.