Safely Bringing Our Economy Back

As of May 17, 2021, event and gathering maximum occupancy limits have been increased to 50 percent for indoor events and gatherings and 75 percent for outdoor events and gatherings.

• According to an administration press release, an event or gathering is defined as “a temporary grouping of individuals for defined purposes, that takes place over a limited timeframe, such as hours or days. For example, events and gatherings include fairs, festivals, concerts or shows and groupings that occur within larger, more permanent businesses, such as shows or performances within amusement parks, individual showings of movies on a single screen/auditorium within a multiplex, business meetings or conferences, or each party or reception within a multiroom venue.”

The update will not prevent municipalities, school districts, restaurants and venues from continuing and implementing stricter mitigation efforts.

Additionally, OSHA is directing employers to refer, for now, to CDC guidelines for workplace policies related to employees, but has indicated its intention to update their guidance, which had previously called for employees to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.

Visit the Wolf Administration’s COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses page for further details.

• For many businesses, general safety rules are still in place. While some employers are no longer requiring masks for those who are fully vaccinated, other employers have determined that until vaccination rates are high enough and the spread of the virus is minimal, they will continue to require employees and patrons to wear a mask when they enter the business, stay six feet apart, and follow all the general health and safety rules as before. We are urging communities statewide to abide by individual businesses’ decisions on this matter.
• All businesses can be open. All in-person businesses may operate at 75 percent occupancy, except where noted. Businesses must follow all the worker and building safety requirements for employers. All businesses are strongly encouraged to conduct their operations in whole or in part remotely through individual teleworking of their employees.

There are still restrictions for businesses that work with the public. You must limit occupancy if your business is in one of the following categories:

• Restaurants may open indoor dining, up to 50% occupancy or up to 75% occupancy with self-certification. Bar service is permitted for seated patrons.
• Night clubs may open, up to 50% occupancy.
• Indoor recreation can have up to 75% occupancy, and fitness facilities should continue to prioritize outdoor fitness activities (including gyms, indoor malls, bowling, arcades, indoor sports, go-kart, pool halls, and similar facilities)
• Health and wellness can have up to 75% occupancy, and providing service by appointment only is highly recommended (this applies to spas, barbershops, hair and nail salons, saunas, tattoo parlors, massage therapists and other personal care service businesses)
• Entertainment may have up to 75% occupancy (like casinos, theaters, zoos, museums, historical sites, amusement parks, and other entertainment venues). Any events within these venues, such as individual performances, screenings, shows, showtimes, lectures, etc., must abide by the 25% occupancy limit for indoor events and 50% occupancy limit for outdoor events.