Legislation would reopen garden centers

A bill recently introduced in the state Senate would allow garden centers to reopen if they can adhere to social distancing and mitigation measures established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for the COVID-19 pandemic.

When Gov. Tom Wolf issued a state of emergency, only life-sustaining businesses were permitted to remain open. Garden centers were not included on the list and most closed March 19. A few centers were allowed to continue operating because of a waiver process.

The waivers have been criticized for lacking consistency, clarity, and transparency.

Under the bill, the Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development would be required to issue a waiver to open all garden centers.

The bill was introduced by Sens. Ryan P. Aument (R- Lancaster County), Scott Martin (R- Lancaster County), Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), and Elder Vogel (R- Beaver).

“It makes little sense that smaller garden centers have been closed, but larger garden retailers, specifically those attached to large home-improvement centers, are allowed to operate,” Vogel said. “This restriction will, without a doubt, put smaller garden centers out of business. Timing is everything for these business owners and the time has come to let them safely open their doors.”