State Sen. Mastriano Hints at New Pandemic Restrictions Coming from Tom Wolf

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf may be on the cusp of imposing new restrictions on the state in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a video posted to social media today, State Sen. Doug Mastriano says, “We’re hearing of more clampdowns and restrictions coming upon us here,” but he doesn’t divulge what those restrictions could be.

Most recently, on July 15, Wolf ordered all bars to close. He also said restaurants had to limit indoor capacity to just 25%, including employees of those businesses. Last week, Wolf directed the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to issue guidance on what actually constitutes a “meal” vs. a “snack” because some businesses were finding ways to work around Wolf’s orders.

These latest restrictions are in response to what Wolf called an “unsettling” rise in coronavirus cases statewide. However, here in Schuylkill County, we’ve not seen that rise and nowhere across Pennsylvania has seen any strain on hospitals or ICUs, the initial reason residents were told they had to stay home or close businesses.

More Coronavirus Restrictions in Pennsylvania?

Mastriano says these restrictions and the ones that may be coming from the Governor in the near future are based on “fake science”.

“It’s all about control,” he said, standing outside the locked doors to the Governor’s office in Harrisburg.

Indeed, instead of the goal being to “flatten the curve” to reduce strain on hospitals, Wolf’s actions – by his own admission – are designed to keep Pennsylvanians safe and prevent them from getting sick.

We reached out to State Sen. Dave Argall to find out what Mastriano may be talking about as far as restrictions but he offered no comment on it.

When Wolf announced the restrictions on bars earlier this month, Argall said the Governor’s actions could be the death knell for some small businesses in Schuylkill County and Pennsylvania.

Mastriano streamed his video to make a point about Wolf not showing up for work alongside the General Assembly for the past 5 months. He said he’s visited those doors 22 times in those 5 months and each time they’ve been locked or Wolf hasn’t been present.

The General Assembly is currently steamed because Wolf refused to sign HR2463 into law despite it getting unanimous, bipartisan support in both the State Senate and State House. That legislation requires the Governor to respond to Right to Know requests for data during any emergency disaster declaration.

It was believed that Wolf would veto that bill but he didn’t. Wolf didn’t sign it, either. But by not signing it or vetoing it, it became law on Sunday.

You can watch Mastriano’s full video here:

https://www.facebook.com/SenatorDougMastriano/videos/324223598733353/?__cft__[0]=AZWrtmIvyew7CEWMZNMn_9z4GULQ9QGrDJw9svc3W8XEw5CmIeADFAc5E19xUEUQDsbb4MuGIqo4SB7RAtVX_5Tu1ykN6AmzsLC3QdgZYBFOkykoOurBaQmeteXMApodqqt607WSCGTACk-gRndE112a4OPTr4Pc5JcpbHsJA5OuPRCV7kjrhQoUs4udP6-yL9Q&__tn__=%2CO-R

ALSO READ: 

• Pennsylvania Restaurants Going to 25% Occupancy, Bars Closing at Midnight
• Governor’s Actions Wednesday “Could Be the Final Stake in the Heart” for Some Small Businesses in Schuylkill County
• Wolf Closed Schuylkill County Bars Over 36 “New” Coronavirus Cases in July
• Wolf Says Food with Booze is Safer than Booze and No Food
• Adapting to New Rules, Cressona Bar Serving Buttered Bread as a Meal
• PLCB Defines What a Bar Meal Is and Isn’t

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