By: KDKA-TV news staff
HARRISBURG (KDKA) – At a news conference Monday with Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, she confirmed that the restrictions imposed by the Department of Health two weeks ago will not be lifted before Jan. 4 and no would provide no clarity as to whether these restrictions could be extended after 4 January.
“We will have these discussions with the Governor’s Office and we will make our recommendations, obviously, this week, in preparation for January 4,” Levine said.
Levine will not develop any potential plans after January 4, at the request of reporters.
Levine also said that there have been no “reports of complications or reactions in Pennsylvania” since Monday, as more and more health workers and people in long-term care facilities now receive the vaccine.
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In response to several restrictions-challenging units, Levine said she was concerned about the impact these open units would have on their respective communities.
“What I would say to the facilities and customers of these facilities is that I care about their health. I think they expose themselves, their families, their loved ones and the facilities staff [by continuing] to remain open and continue[ing] to go against the orders and endanger their community for the further spread of COVID-19, ”she said.
Levine urged Pennsylvanians to abide by the restrictions and for bar and restaurant owners to close their facilities in accordance with mitigation orders.
Mitigation orders were initially announced on December 11th.