The state of Pennsylvania took the unprecedented step of ceasing operations of all “non-life sustaining businesses” in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, putting an immediate halt to work at thousands of construction sites. Gov. Tom Wolf (D-Pa.) made the announcement March 19, just hours before an 8 p.m. deadline to close those businesses. [Businesses react]
“We have no time to lose. With every minute that passes, more Pennsylvanians come in contact with the COVID-19 virus,” he said. As of Thursday evening, the state had 185 cases of COVID-19 and one death.