UPDATE: ON FRIDAY EVENING AT APPROXIMATELY 9:15 P.M. GOV. WOLF ANNOUNCED HE WOULD DELAY ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDER CLOSING ALL NON-LIFE-SUSTAINING BUSINESSES. READ THAT STORY HERE.

(Lititz, PA-LititzDailyNews.com)- Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced today that non-essential businesses who were ordered to close yesterday may apply for an waiver/exemption to business closure if they believe their business to be essential.

READ RELATED: MOST LITITZ CHURCHES CLOSE AMID COVID-19 CONCERNS

“We’ve put into place a pretty robust waiver process. If you think you have been mistakenly classified as non-essential, then you should seek that waiver. We’ve cut through bureaucratic red tape to make this as quick a process as we can,” he said.

BREAKING: PENN CINEMA CLOSES TEMPORARILY OVER COVID-19 MEASURES

The governor outlined that the guidelines for classifying businesses as essential or non-essential was developed in concert with the Department of Homeland Security guidelines.

“If you feel we’re not right, then by all means, seek a waiver,” said Gov. Wolf.

RELATED: GOV CLOSES ALL NON-ESSENTIAL STORES, BARS, RESTAURANTS

Gov. Wolf advised businesses to first refer to the guidance issued by the state yesterday regarding closure. Businesses can begin the waiver process by phone, email, or via the web form on the DCED website, the governor said. UPDATE: If the form link is not loading, try accessing it through the DCED site by clicking here. You may call the DCED at 1-866-466-3972.

READ RELATED: WARWICK SCHOOLS CLOSE FOR 2 WEEKS PER GOVERNOR’S ORDER

In the press conference, the governor acknowledged the financial toll that the coronavirus is taking on the residents and businesses of the commonwealth.

“Once this is over, everyone in Pennsylvania is going to need help,” he said.

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Lynn Rebuck is the editor and publisher of award-winning LititzDailyNews.com, the only independent digital news source in Lititz. Lynn is an award-winning journalist who was invited to the White House and has received top recognition from the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, Pennsylvania Women’s Press Association, National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and has been profiled in Editor & Publisher magazine for her unparalleled dedication to publishing LititzDailyNews.com to benefit the community.