Mask mandate lifted throughout state
Jun. 28—Business owners who faced restrictions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic hope the end of the state's mask mandate signifies better days ahead.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced the order requiring face coverings would be lifted today at 12:01 a.m.
The order was originally issued April 15, 2020, and updated Nov. 18, 2020, and March 17, 2021.
Individuals who have not been vaccinated or are partially vaccinated are still encouraged to wear a mask when in public. The department also urges state residents to follow CDC guidance for wearing a mask where required.
Denise Leppo, general manager of Downtown Deli and Eatery on Spruce Street in Scranton, believes more people feel safe in public now and are eager to get back to their regular routines.
"I think people are comfortable and they're ready to get out and move on with their life," she said. "We're busier than we've been and haven't had a complaint or concern. We've noticed a huge influx of customers over the past month. I trust the state and the science. If they say no more, then no more."
Leppo is confident the restaurant industry will be able to pick up steam following a difficult 18 months.
"It seems like there is a light at the end of the tunnel after so long," she said. "The past year and a half, every time we felt we were going to move forward, we had to take so many steps back. Now it seems like we're just going to keep moving forward."
Two customers eating lunch at the restaurant Sunday had different viewpoints on the need to wear a mask.
Jean Mandat, 34, of Scranton, had some concerns about the mask mandate being lifted while the virus continues to evolve.
"I don't feel comfortable with it mainly because of the new variants coming out," he said. "A lot of times we don't really know who is vaccinated and who's not. I think it puts people at risk."
Margie Cassel, 59, of Union Dale, feels the time is right to shed the coverings for those who have been inoculated.
"If you're fully vaccinated and feel good, I think you should be able to live normally again," she said.
Mary Ann Nezlo, 68, a resident of Scranton's Mulberry Towers, also thinks people should be able to go mask free.
"It's time to move forward," she said. "If we have another outbreak then we'll do it all over again."
Joshua Mast, co-owner of Posh at the Scranton Club, noted the end of the mask requirement shows the effects of the pandemic are slowing in the region.
"It means we've almost made it through," he said. "We really hope this is one of the final steps of returning to a new normal."
Contact the writer: rtomkavage@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131; @rtomkavage on Twitter.
