As of June 1, Lehigh and Northampton counties were among the last 10 counties still in the red phase, all of which are expected to be moved to yellow June 5.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf asserted those counties’ extended time in the red phase was crucial in creating the decrease in new COVID-19 cases they are now seeing. In his statement announcing the move from red to yellow, Wolf referenced a study from Drexel University that indicated “in Philadelphia alone, 60 days of staying at home resulted in more than 7,000 lives saved and prevented more than 68,000 people from needing hospitalization.”

In the final weeks of May, Pennsylvania recorded sustained reductions in hospitalizations, a shrinking number of patients on ventilators, a continual decline in new cases and a declining new case rate. Pennsylvania is one of only 19 states across the country that has seen a declining new case rate.

Moving into the yellow phase means the end of the stay-at-home order across the state, but it doesn’t mean a full return to a previously normal life. Many non-life-sustaining businesses will be able to resume operation, but not without complying with certain guidelines, and some will even need to stay closed until their counties reach the green phase.

For Pennsylvanians, entering the yellow phase means we’re starting to get a handle on the spread of the virus, but that doesn’t change its invisible and unpredictable nature. As such, all businesses allowed to resume in-person operation are still mandated to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on social distancing, use of face masks and routine cleaning.

Some of the many businesses able to resume in-person operation in the yellow phase are child care centers, law offices, pet groomers and trainers, appliance and hardware stores, marinas, bike shops, firearm dealers, cellphone sale and repair stores, vehicle dealerships, garden centers, real estate businesses, apartment leasing offices, short-term renting of residential properties, public bathing places and community pools.

With pools, the state guidance clarifies the decision to reopen will be left at the local level. Whitehall Township and Coplay and Northampton boroughs announced last month that their public pools would not open for the 2020 season. Catasauqua Borough remains undecided.

Guidelines differ slightly for restaurants and bars, which have been able to serve customers through takeout and delivery during the red phase. Once counties are in the yellow phase, these businesses can continue takeout and delivery but will only be allowed to hold dine-in services outdoors. As with the other in-person businesses, they will still be expected to follow the health and safety guidelines.

Indoor dine-in services will not be allowed until the green phase.

Other businesses will remain closed through the yellow phase. These include any businesses that fall under the categories of indoor recreation, health and wellness facilities, personal care centers, indoor malls and entertainment.

Indoor recreation includes bowling, arcades, pool halls, indoor sports, laser tag, go-karting and indoor mini-golf.

Health and wellness facilities include gyms, spas, tattoo and piercing parlors, salons, saunas and massage parlors.

Entertainment includes movie theaters, casinos, concert venues, museums, zoos, botanical gardens, carnivals, water parks, playgrounds and nonprofessional sports venues.

Indoor malls must continue to suspend indoor shopping during the yellow phase but can allow curbside pickup for indoor businesses.

During the yellow phase, data on the coronavirus will continue to be thoroughly tracked to determine when counties can be moved to the green phase.