Martin: Senators Make Bipartisan Call for Employers to Open Fully Memorial Day Weekend

(HARRISBURG) – In a letter to Gov. Wolf today, a bipartisan group of 21 state Senators appealed for the removal of COVID-related restrictions on employers before the start of the Memorial Day weekend, state Senator Scott Martin (R-13) announced.

“Unfortunately that date for lifting the restrictions is the end of the Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial kick off to summer,” Senator Martin said. “Moving this date to Friday, May 28, would give employers the ability to have such a great start to what we hope is going to be a full summer of recovery for both these employers and the people who work for them.”

In the letter, the Senators indicated they were appreciative of the recent announcement by the Wolf Administration that restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic will be lifted on Memorial Day. 

“As we look forward toward a brighter future, we must also acknowledge how much damage these restrictions have caused, as well as the pressing need to give these employers a boost to ensure their long-term survival,” the letter said. “Accordingly, we are requesting that you move up the timeline for these restrictions to be eliminated by three days – from Memorial Day, to the Friday before Memorial Day.”

The letter urged the governor to allow the employers to have a full holiday weekend to begin to recoup the losses they suffered during COVID-19. The restrictions have devastated many employers and industries, particularly in the hospitality and tourism industries, so it is encouraging that these businesses will be able to move forward soon toward a more normal situation, the letter said.

“I don’t see any issue with the science or the data that would prohibit reopening these employers two day earlier,” Senator Martin said. “There’s going to be a lot of people spending money on Memorial Day weekend. I would like them to be spending that money in Pennsylvania.”

Video statements from Senator Martin:

https://pasen.wistia.com/medias/p8uphlqoz1

https://pasen.wistia.com/medias/eidr9vxcnu

https://pasen.wistia.com/medias/9lirnbyzzr

CONTACT: Terry Trego

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