Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday announced that COVID-19 event and gathering occupancy limits will be increased beginning May 17.

Event and gathering maximum occupancy limits will be increased to 50% for indoor events and gatherings and 75% for outdoor events and gatherings effective Monday, Wolf said.

Current maximum occupancy is 25% for indoor events and gatherings and 50% for outdoor events and gatherings, regardless of venue size and only if attendees and workers are able to comply with the 6-foot physical distancing requirement.

Citing the increasing number of residents who are vaccinated and guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wolf said raising event and gathering limits is a step toward reopening the state.

“We recognize the significant strain businesses have faced during COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Throughout the last year and half, we have seen businesses continue to put the safety of their patrons first and I believe they will continue to do so even with this capacity increase,” Wolf said. “As we continue implementing our reopening plan as quickly as possible, the safety of Pennsylvanians remains at the forefront of our decision-making. I urge each eligible Pennsylvanian to get vaccinated to help protect your neighbors and loved ones as we work to safely reopen our beloved commonwealth communities.”

Wolf said the occupancy increases will not prevent municipalities, school districts, restaurants and venues from continuing and implementing stricter mitigation efforts. Based on current CDC guidance, social distancing is strongly recommended for municipalities, school districts, restaurants and venues, he said.

The state defines an event or gathering as a temporary grouping of individuals for defined purposes that takes place over a limited timeframe, such as hours or days. Examples include fairs, festivals, concerts or shows and groupings that occur within larger, more permanent businesses, such as shows or performances within amusement parks, individual showings of movies on a single screen in a multiplex, business meetings or conferences, or each party or reception within a multiroom venue.Face coverings are still to be worn indoors and outdoors away from home.The latest CDC guidance says fully vaccinated people are not required to wear a mask during certain activities.The current order requiring Pennsylvanians to wear masks will be lifted when 70% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated, Wolf said.The state Department of Health on Tuesday commended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approving the use of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 to 15 years old, but said vaccinations won't begun until the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issues its approval. The committee is meeting to discuss a recommendation Wednesday.

The health department also said coronavirus cases are increasing in people up to 49 years old.The percentage of people with COVID-19 increased from 1.7% in January to 3.1% in May in the 0-4 age group, from 4% to 8% in the 5-12 age group, from 6.3% to 11% in the 13-18 age group, from 10.5% to 11.9% in the 19-24 age group and from 37.5% to 38.1% in the 25-49 age group.The percentage of people with COVID-19 in the 50-64 and 65 and older age groups has decreased from 22.4% to 18.7% and from 17.7% to 9.4%, respectively, the department said.In the county, 32 new cases reported Tuesday raise the total number of residents who have had COVID-19 since the pandemic began to 10,906, and 2,385 new cases across the state raised the statewide total to 1,177,072. About 28,064 of the cases in the state are among health care workers.There are 1,798 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 406 in intensive care. The 14-day average number of people hospitalized per day is decreasing.In nursing and personal care homes, 71,244 residents and 14,971 employees have COVID-19. Of the deaths in the state, 13,186 have been residents of nursing or personal care facilities.No new deaths were reported in the county, but 57 new deaths across the state raised the total to 26,607.The number of people getting vaccinated every day is decreasing, but 3,939,478 people are fully vaccinated and 1,748,289 are partially vaccinated. A total of 9,300,680 doses have been administered, including 5,687,767 first and single doses and 3,612,913 second doses.In the county, 17,636 people are partially vaccinated and 70,962 are fully vaccinated.