Pennsylvania has lifted its teleworking mandate for businesses and instead is encouraging businesses to use teleworking when possible in Montgomery County and around the state, write Teghan Simonton and Julia Felton for the Trib Live.

“Telework for businesses will be highly encouraged; previously, telework was to be used unless it was not possible to do so,” said state officials.

The mandate was instituted early on in the coronavirus pandemic in an attempt to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. The state’s progress in the vaccine rollout has made easing of the mandate possible.

“We are making tremendous progress vaccinating Pennsylvanians and are now able to accelerate our state vaccine plan,” said Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam.

However, Beam and other officials are reminding employees that it is still necessary to maintain health measures in the workplace, such as masking and social distancing.

The weekend update coincides with the easing of other restrictions to restaurants and businesses. These include allowing bar service to resume in Pennsylvania bars and restaurants, lifting the curfew on alcohol sales in bars and restaurants, selling alcohol without a food purchase, and operating at 75 percent capacity. Additionally, the capacity at other businesses can now increase to 75 percent, including gyms, casinos, and malls.

Read more about the loosening of the restrictions in the Trib Live.