Gov. Tom Wolf has extended his stay-at-home order to the entire state.

Wolf had been implementing the order on a county-by-county basis as COVID-19 has spread and case counts increased.

However, the state identified nearly 1,000 new cases on Wednesday alone.

“Today, I am extending my stay at home order across the state,” he said during a Wednesday press briefing. People “should not leave your home unless absolutely necessary” –

The order will remain in place until April 30.

Wolf said the virus is “spreading rapidly” and has manifested in nursing homes, prisons and is “filling up hospital beds.

“We need to act now.”

Wolf explained that the U.S. Surgeon General has recommended this step and other states surrounding Pennsylvania have already implemented such orders.

He said he has seen good compliance under the county-specific orders already entered.

“People have already stepped up to make it easier for others to stay at home,” he said. “(We) want to get through this as quickly and safely as possible.

“It’s our only choice,” he continued. “If we don’t do everything we can to slow the spread of COVID-19, there are some people we will never see again.”

He said it is “up to us” to decide how high we will let the fatality number climb.

“If we don’t do everything in our power… we could easily have a death toll in the thousands. We know if we implement strong mitigation efforts, (we) can half it in its tracks. Please assume everyone has the virus including yourself. Ultimately someone’s life does depend on it.”

Wolf cautioned Pennsylvanians not to “panic shop or hoard food” as “buying more than you need for a week or two… adds unnecessary stress to the food supply chain. Please only buy what you need….

“The next month will be difficult. We will get through this together.”

As initially reported in Wednesday’s Times Observer, here’s what the stay-at-home order really means.

A statement from the governor’s office outlines permissible travel and that is included here verbatim:

Tasks essential to maintain health and safety, or the health and safety of their family or household members (including pets), such as obtaining medicine or medical supplies, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home;

Getting necessary services or supplies for themselves, for their family or household members, or as part of volunteer efforts, or to deliver those services or supplies to others to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;

Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking or running if they maintain social distancing;

To perform work providing essential products and services at a life-sustaining business;

To care for a family member or pet in another household;

Any travel related to the provision of or access to the above-mentioned individual activities or life-sustaining business activities;

Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons;

Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services;

Travel to return to a place of residence from an outside jurisdiction;

Travel required by law enforcement or court order;

Travel required for non-residents to return to their place of residence outside the commonwealth;

Anyone performing life-sustaining travel does not need paperwork to prove the reason for travel.

Wolf’s order also specifically exempted several categories: Life-sustaining business and service activity, health care or medical service providers, news media, law enforcement, federal government activity, religious institutions and certain child care services for employees of life-sustaining businesses that are to remain open.

“At this time, law enforcement will be focused on ensuring that residents are aware of the order and informing the public of social distancing practices rather than enforcement,” according to the Governor’s office. “To report a noncompliant business, contact your local law enforcement agency’s non-emergency number or the nearest Pennsylvania State Police station.”