As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine implored Pennsylvanians Dec. 10 to take three weeks and stand united against the virus by adhering to mitigation orders and stricter efforts.

“With these measures in place, we hope to accomplish three goals,” Wolf said. “First, stop the devastating spread of COVID-19 in the commonwealth. Second, keep our hospitals and health care workers from becoming overwhelmed. And third, help Pennsylvanians get through the holiday season - and closer to a widely available vaccine - as safely as possible. ”

The new mitigation orders took effect Dec. 12 and remain in effect until 8 a.m. Jan. 4, 2021.

“Each of the last two days we have reported the highest number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic,” Levine said Dec. 10. “In the past week, we have reported close to 1,100 new deaths from COVID-19 across Pennsylvania. The virus continues to strain our health care systems, and the dramatic rise in cases among all age groups, including among school-age children, is alarming.”

The provisions outlined are accompanied by supportive data used in part to make these decisions, it was reported. Two recent studies, one by Yale University and one by Stanford University, substantiate more than one of these mitigation efforts.

All in-person indoor dining at bars, restaurants, breweries, wineries, distilleries, social clubs and private catered events is prohibited. Outdoor dining, takeout food service and takeout alcohol sales are permitted and may continue, subject to other restrictions imposed by Pennsylvania law.

A study by JP Morgan analyzed credit card spending of more than 30 million Chase cardholders and Johns Hopkins University’s case tracker and found higher restaurant spending in a state predicted a rise in new infections three weeks later. Additionally, research from Stanford University found restaurants accounted for a significant amount of new infections while research from Yale University found closing restaurants reduced fatality rates.

Indoor gatherings and events of more than 10 persons are prohibited.

Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and other places of congregate worship are specifically excluded from the limitations during religious services. However, these institutions are strongly encouraged to find alternative methods for worship, as in-person gatherings pose a significant risk to participants at this time.

A new study from Stanford University used cellphone data collected from 10 U.S. cities from March to May to demonstrate restaurants, gyms, cafes, churches and other crowded indoor venues accounted for some 8-10 new infections in the early months of the epidemic.

Outdoor gatherings and events of more than 50 persons are prohibited. According to a Yale University study, limiting outdoor gatherings was among consistent policies found to reduce fatality rates.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states medium-sized outdoor gatherings carry a higher risk of COVID-19 spread, even with social distancing. CDC notes the more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected and spreading the virus.

All in-person businesses serving the public may only operate at 50 percent of the maximum capacity stated on the applicable certificate of occupancy, except as limited by existing orders to a smaller capacity limit. The same Stanford University study that collected cellphone data also noted limiting indoor capacity can reduce COVID-19 transmissions.

Indoor operations at gyms and fitness facilities are prohibited. Outdoor facilities and classes can continue, but all participants must wear face coverings and practice physical distancing.

According to a Yale University study, closing businesses like gyms was among consistent policies found to reduce fatality rates.

All in-person businesses in the entertainment industry serving the public within a building or indoor defined area, including, but not limited to, theaters, concert venues, museums, movie theaters, arcades, casinos, bowling alleys, private clubs and all other similar entertainment, recreational or social facilities, are prohibited from operation. The CDC puts movie theaters and other indoor settings on its list of higher-risk activities for contracting COVID-19.

Voluntary activities sponsored or approved by a school are suspended, but these extracurricular activities may be held virtually. This includes, but is not limited to, attendance at or participation in activities such musical ensembles, school plays, student council, clubs and school dances.

The top priority is stopping the spread of this virus so students and teachers can return to their classrooms as soon as possible, according to Wolf. Data from the DOH notes 25 percent of the cases of COVID-19 among school-age children have occurred within the past two weeks, increasing the need to keep children safe outside of school so they can return to classrooms.

All sports at K-12 public schools, nonpublic schools, private schools and club, travel, recreational, intermural and intramural sports are paused.

The Pennsylvania Principals Association is recommending a delay to the start of the winter sports season. The surge in cases among school-age children increases the risk asymptomatic participants will spread the virus.

Professional or collegiate sports activities may continue in accordance with guidance from the CDC and the DOH. Spectators may not attend sports activities in person.

“We know COVID-19 thrives in places where people gather together,” Wolf said.

“The work we do now to slow the spread of COVID-19 is not only crucial to keeping our fellow Pennsylvanians safe and healthy,” Wolf added. “It will help all of us get back to normal and back to all of the things we’ve missed, faster.”