Lifting of COVID-19 mitigation orders in Pa. welcomed, but GOP says it’s overdue Updated May 04, 2021; Lawmakers generally cheered Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement on Tuesday that virtually all of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 mitigation rules will end on Memorial Day, but some said it’s long overdue. Republicans and Democrats alike welcomed this long-awaited development that will lift restrictions on seating restrictions in restaurant and bars, capacity limits on public gatherings, and more at 12:01 a.m. on Memorial Day. However, the state’s mask order will remain in place until 70% of Pennsylvania adults are fully vaccinated, Wolf’s office said.