Should Your Business Be Open or Closed? Interested in Requesting a Waiver to Remain Open?
Important Resources to Help Your Business Answer these Critical Questions
Should My Business be Open or Closed?
Those businesses requesting clarification on whether they are defined as life-sustaining – and should be open or closed at this time – should check this list, email the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) customer service resource account at ra-dcedcs@pa.gov, or call 1-877-PA-HEALTH and select option 1 to reach DCED staff.
My Business is Listed as Non-Life-Sustaining, But I’d Like to Request a Waiver
If a business listed for closure believes it could help mitigate this crisis by providing a life sustaining service, it can seek an exemption. To seek a waiver, complete the online waiver application. You may also reach out to request a waiver or additional information about the process to be deemed exempt via email at RA-dcexemption@pa.gov.
When a business completes a waiver form, a team of professionals at DCED will review each request and respond based on the guiding principle of balancing public safety while ensuring the continued delivery of critical infrastructure services and functions. Those requesting a waiver will be notified via email if their operations may re-open. Businesses applying for a waiver must remain closed until a decision is made about their application.
Additional Guidance for Agriculture Requests
Use Keywords in Your Requests for Easy Identification as Agriculture
Due to the high volume of requests for waivers, consider utilizing simple keywords in your email. In addition to providing details about why your business is or supports life-sustaining activity, words like these may help those reviewing quickly identify them as agriculture related/essential agriculture operations:
Animal
Crop
Farming
Poultry
Timber
Forest
Food
Dairy
NOTE: the Wolf Administration is delaying enforcement of Governor Tom Wolf’s order and the Secretary of Health’s order that all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania must close their physical locations to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Per Governor Wolf's and Dr. Levine’s orders, businesses that were non-life sustaining were ordered to close their physical locations on March 19, at 8:00 PM. This order stands, only the enforcement timing will change and become effective on Monday, March 23, at 8:00 AM.
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