PA Capitol News: March 2020

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Gov. Wolf Extends Stay At Home Order To Cameron, Crawford, Forest, Franklin, Lawrence, Lebanon, Somerset Counties

On March 31, Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine revised their “Stay at Home” orders to include Cameron, Crawford, Forest, Franklin, Lawrence, Lebanon and Somerset counties, bringing the state total to 33 counties under a stay-at-home order.

This order takes effect at 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 31, 2020, and will continue until April 30.

-- Governor Wolf’s Amended Order

-- Secretary of Health’s Amended Order

-- Stay at Home Guidance

Yesterday, all stay-at-home orders were extended through April 30.

All Pennsylvania schools will remain closed until further notice.

Non-life-sustaining business closures remain in effect.

The stay at home order now includes these 33 counties: Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Bucks, Butler, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Forest, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, Somerset, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland and York counties.

Individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following allowable individual activities and allowable essential travel:

-- 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.

The following operations are exempt:

-- Life-sustaining business activities

-- Health care or medical services providers

-- Access to life-sustaining services for low-income residents, including food banks

-- Access to child care services for employees of life-sustaining businesses that remain open as follows: child care facilities operating under the Department of Human Services, Office of Child -- Development and Early Learning waiver process; group and family child care operating in a residence; and part-day school age programs operating under an exemption from the March 19, 2020 business closure Orders

-- News media

-- Law enforcement, emergency medical services personnel, firefighters

-- The federal government

-- Religious institutions

-- Individuals experiencing homelessness are not subject to this order but are strongly urged to find shelter and government agencies are urged to take steps needed to provide shelter for those individuals.

-- International students, foster youth, and any other students who would otherwise experience displacement or homelessness as a result of campus closures are exempt and may remain in campus housing.

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.

To report a noncompliant business, contact your local law enforcement agency’s non-emergency number or the nearest Pennsylvania State Police station.

Please do not call 911 or the Department of Community and Economic Development to file reports.

Law enforcement officers should refer to Business Closure Order Enforcement Guidance available online.

For the latest information on the coronavirus and precautions to take in Pennsylvania, visit the Department of Health’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage, Follow them on Twitter, or Like them on Facebook.

NewsClips/Announcements:

Click Here For This Week’s PA Coronavirus NewsClips

Helpful Links:

Responding To COVID-19 In Pennsylvania - General Resource Page All Topics

State Agency Coronavirus Guidance

Attorney General - Coronavirus Price Gouging Updates

[Posted: March 31, 2020]

Gov. Wolf: Part Of Request For Major Federal Disaster Declaration Approved

On March 31, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the approval of part of his request to the President for a major disaster declaration to support state, county and local response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Pennsylvania.

“We are grateful for federal funding that will support all levels of government as we work together to stop the spread, and support those who care for the ill,” said Gov. Wolf. “But I remain unwavering in my call for the approval of the rest of my request, which will provide more direct support to our friends and neighbors who are facing financial difficulties that otherwise could be insurmountable.”

Under the major disaster declaration, state, county and municipal governments, as well as eligible private non-profits can receive reimbursement for up to 75 percent of eligible expenses related to the response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Eligible expenses can include but are not limited to costs associated with paying overtime, or materials and equipment purchases.

The declaration also provides direct federal assistance, which provides federal materials and supplies to support state and local response efforts.

In the coming weeks, staff from the PA Emergency Management Agency will reach out to potential applicants to view the application process and necessary documentation.

As the response period for the COVID-19 outbreak is continuing, the process will take weeks. All reimbursements are handled electronically.

Gov. Wolf said his request for other federal aid remains under consideration. His letter to the President included the following Individual Assistance programs: Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Community Disaster Loans and the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Program; and Statewide Hazard Mitigation.

It is not known how soon a determination will be made about the rest of his request. Gov. Wolf signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 outbreak, which is a required step to request a federal major disaster declaration, on March 6, 2020.

NewsClips/Announcements:

Click Here For This Week’s PA Coronavirus NewsClips

Helpful Links:

Responding To COVID-19 In Pennsylvania - General Resource Page All Topics

State Agency Coronavirus Guidance

Attorney General - Coronavirus Price Gouging Updates

[Posted: March 31, 2020]

Dept. Of Health Reports 14 More Pennsylvanians Died From COVID-19; Total Cases 4,843

On March 31, the Department of Health reported 14 more Pennsylvanians have died from COVID-19 bringing the total to 63.

As of 12:00 a.m., March 31, there were 756 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 4,843 in 60 counties.

County-specific information and a statewide map are available.

There are 37,645 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

-- Less than 1 percent are aged 0-4;

-- Less than 1 percent are aged 5-12;

-- 1 percent are aged 13-18;

-- Nearly 10 percent are aged 19-24;

-- Nearly 41 percent are aged 25-49;

-- Nearly 29 percent are aged 50-64; and

-- Nearly 19 percent are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are aged 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. There have been no pediatric deaths to date. More data is available here.

Live Update

The Secretary Of Health Provides Coronavirus Update TODAY at 2:00. Watch Live: https://www.governor.pa.gov/live/ or facebook.com/governorwolf/ or pacast.com/live/doh

NewsClips/Announcements:

Click Here For This Week’s PA Coronavirus NewsClips

Helpful Links:

Responding To COVID-19 In Pennsylvania - General Resource Page All Topics

State Agency Coronavirus Guidance

Attorney General - Coronavirus Price Gouging Updates

[Posted: March 31, 2020]