Police cite woman for going on leisurely drive during Pennsylvania stay-at-home order

Teresa Boeckel, York Daily Record
Updated ·2 min read

YORK, Pa. – Pennsylvania State Police cited 19-year-old Anita Lynn Shaffer for violating a stay-at-home for York County after police say she went a leisurely drive on March 29.

Shaffer is the only person in the Commonwealth to be cited under the state's disease control and prevention act of 1955, spokesman Ryan Tarkowski said on Friday. Troopers have issued two warnings in other areas of the state.

A leisurely drive is not essential travel, Tarkowski said.

State police initially pulled over Shaffer for a vehicle code violation, Tarkowski said. He declined to give more details, saying it would be inappropriate, but "the trooper’s decision was based on the totality of the circumstances."

Related Video: Virus Shuts Pennsylvania Schools Indefinitely

"Our focus is on voluntary compliance through education. If we can get someone to do the right thing through a conversation, that is best," he wrote.

Shaffer could not be reached for comment.

The citation will cost Shaffer more than $200.

Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf expanded the stay-at home order on April 1 to include the entire state to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Among the reasons that travel is allowed, according to the state:

  • Tasks essential to maintain health and safety, or the health and safety of their family or household members (including pets), such as obtaining medicine or medical supplies, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home

  • Getting necessary services or supplies for themselves, for their family or household members, or as part of volunteer efforts, or to deliver those services or supplies to others to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences

  • Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking or running if they maintain social distancing

  • To perform work providing essential products and services at a life-sustaining business

Does that mean that everyone who goes for a drive will be cited or warned? No, Tarkowski said. Troopers will make decisions to warn or cite drivers based on a case-by-case basis.

"But to reiterate, Stay at Home means stay at home," he said.

Follow Teresa Boeckel on Twitter: @teresaboeckel

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Coronavirus stay-at-home order: PA woman cited after going for a drive