Pennsylvania lifts out-of-state travel restrictions, increases event limits

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Gov. Tom Wolf has announced that one restriction in Pennsylvania due to COVID-19 is being lifted, while others are being revised.

The following is in effect as of Monday, March 1:

-Outdoor events are now limited to a 20% maximum occupancy, no matter the venue size.

-Indoor events are now limited to 15% maximum occupancy, no matter the venue size.

Wolf said the new occupancy limits are permitted only if attendees and workers can keep six feet of physical distance between them.

Mask wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene must be enforced.

Additionally, the state is doing away with a requirement that people who are traveling to Pennsylvania from another state, as well as Pennsylvania residents who are returning home from out of state, must test negative for the virus within 72 hours prior to arrival.

Under the order, people who refused to be tested were required to quarantine for 14 days.

"There is light at the end of the tunnel. COVID-19 cases are on the decline, and more are being vaccinated," Wolf said. "Thank you for wearing masks, keeping your distance, planning for vaccines, and doing whatever it takes to slow the spread of COVID. Your actions are making a difference."

This comes the same day as Philadelphia, which sets its own COVID-19 restrictions, eased some of those measures.

Philadelphia officials are easing some COVID-19 restrictions on Monday. Here's everything you should know.

One of the biggest changes the city announced last week was the allowance for some attendance at sporting events.

Those attendance levels were set to the state levels, which at the time meant 2,500 people could attend outdoor events, while 500 people could attend indoor events.

City officials said they won't automatically make changes when the state does, but in a news conference last week Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said the city would look at any revisions and make a determination.

Those new limits would allow for attendance at Citizens Bank Park when the Phillies' season starts next month, but no fans would be allowed at the Wells Fargo Center for Sixers and Flyers games.

Officials with the Wells Fargo Center said that's because there needs to be more than 500 workers on-site if fans are in attendance.

Stay with Action News and 6abc.com as this story develops.