May 8, 2020
While Pennsylvania Governor Wolf is reopening his state, Governor Murphy is keeping New Jersey on lock down for another 30 days, or until June 6.
The 13 counties in Pennsylvania will move to the yellow phase of reopening next Friday. The counties are: Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland. Pennsylvania's second largest metropolitan area, the Pittsburgh region is included. Beaver County, which has one of the highest case rates in the state due in part to a large outbreak at a nursing home, is not included in the order
Other Pennsylvania counties will be on stay-at-home orders until June 4. This could however change if there is an improvement in the number of COVID-19 cases.
Wolf announced earlier this month his three phased approach to opening Pennsylvania. Counties will move from stage red to yellow to green as the number of COVID-19 cases decrease. The counties being reopened are moving into the yellow stage.
At the red stage, stay-home orders are in place and all nonessential businesses are closed. Yellow means that some things reopen and stay-home orders are lifted. Everyone will be asked to wear a mask and practice physical distancing. The green phase what many people call a "new normal." Stage green has not yet been fully defined.
During the yellow stage:
- Telework must continue where feasible
- Businesses with in-person operations must follow business and building safety orders
- Child care open with worker and building safety orders
- Congregate care and prison restrictions in place
- Schools remain closed for in-person instruction
- Stay at home restrictions lifted in favor of aggressive mitigation
- Large gatherings of more than 25 prohibited
- In-person retail allowable, curbside and delivery preferable
- Indoor recreation, health and wellness facilities (such as gyms, spas), and all entertainment (such as casinos, theaters) remain closed
- Restaurants and bars limited to carry-out and delivery only
Even though New Jersey Governor Murphy extended the health emergency order, he said last night that he would be "shocked" if the state's beaches weren't open by Memorial Day. Cities and towns in the Garden State are allowed to decide whether their beaches and boardwalks will be open. Governor Murphy has the authority to override them and put social distancing measures in place. During the pandemic, some beaches have closed while others have stayed open. Guidance is expected from Governor Murphy on beach openings before Memorial Day.
In addition, Governor Murphy said nonessential functions, such as nonfood curbside pickups, construction and elective surgeries are also under consideration for resuming soon.
Feel free to contact any member of our team at (610) 828-1900 (PA) or (732) 341-3893 (NJ) with questions. Rich Higgins, CPA, managing principal – New Jersey office can be contacted at
Richard.Higgins@MCC-CPAs.com
. I can be reached at
Marty.McCarthy@MCC-CPAs.com
. As always, we are happy to help.
Stay safe,
Marty McCarthy, CPA, CCIFP
Managing Partner
McCarthy & Company
Disclaimer: This alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Information contained in this communication is not intended or written to be used as tax advice, and cannot be used by the recipient to avoid penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. We strongly advise you to seek professional assistance with respect to your specific issue(s).
