BREAKING NEWS:
More Than One-Third of Pa. Counties Set to Reopen
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Gov. lifts stay-at-home order for 24 counties in northern part of the state.
The announcement, made by Gov. Wolf on Friday afternoon, provides some anticipated clarity to the governor's
three-phased, color-coded plan to open certain regions
of the Commonwealth. The administration moved 24 counties from the "red" phase to the "yellow" phase of the governor's plan. This includes Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Venango, and Warren counties.
During the press briefing, Gov. Wolf said that counties in the "yellow" phase should now, more than ever, take personal responsibility for their actions and
still practice social distancing "as much as possible" as to not see spikes in new cases. He warned that counties in "yellow" could revert back to the "red" phase if there are increases in new COVID-19 cases. He also suggested that those counties still under the "red" phase should continue mitigation efforts and "aspire" to be like counties who have been moved to "yellow" on Friday.
Guidelines for businesses in the 24 counties permitted to reopen next week will be provided on Monday, May 4. The administration said the guidance is being developed through collaboration with the affected counties, state agencies and other stakeholders. The guidelines will build on current and existing safety orders that were released in April.
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Details on testing, contact tracing benchmarks addressed.
Also during Friday's press briefing, the Wolf Administration unveiled some details of testing and contact tracing benchmarks that are vital to the state's reopening plan. Pennsylvania's Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said that a critical part of allowing the first wave of counties to reopen was the availability of expanded testing and tracing of infections. She said that several statistical and public health data metrics were used to determine which counties were eligible to reopen, including health care capacity and availability of personal protective equipment for front line workers, as well as data relating to the number of new cases that exist within a county or region based on overall population.
Dr. Levine said the state will increase testing capacity to ensure that tests are accessible and available for symptomatic Pennsylvanians, and that tests are adaptable to the changing circumstances of the virus. She said testing will be made widely available through partnerships with community resources, such as retail pharmacies and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Testing will also be made available in long-term care facilities, nursing homes and personal care homes, as well as community-based testing sites, like the one established in Luzerne County.
The governor said that there is no set timeline or frequency for when other counties might move from "red" to "yellow" phases, or even when "yellow" counties could move into the third, and final "green" phase. He did indicate, however, that counties in the southwest and southcentral regions of the Commonwealth, could be considered soon.
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Daily COVID-19 update for Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported more than 1,200 new positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide, bringing the state total to 46,971. In addition, 2,354 Pennsylvanians have died from complications from the virus. To date, there have been more than 180,000 negative cases across the state.
Gov. Tom Wolf is still asking all Pennsylvanians who must leave their homes for life-essential reasons to
wear a mask to help stop the spread of the virus
. An executive order was issued on April 15 requiring customers entering a place of business to wear a mask.
Daily COVID-19 update for Ohio
The Ohio Department of Health reported 18,743
cumulative cases of COVID-19 and 1,002 deaths, including probable cases, by Thursday afternoon. There have been 3,634 hospitalizations and 1,056 ICU admissions.
As previously reported, Gov. Mike DeWine is requiring all employees and customers entering a place of business to wear a facial covering.
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Phila. could include 'gig workers' in new paid sick leave policies. Philadelphia City Council may take up legislation that would
expand the city’s paid sick leave law for city employees working during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would extend to all workers in the city, including those considered "
gig workers" and those working for companies with fewer than 10 employees.
Pa. budget amid COVID-19 will prove tricky but Gov. Wolf still hopeful to achieve priorities. Facing what some project to be a $5 billion hole in the state's budget, legislators and the governor's office are set to face a very difficult budget. These new challenges, forced on the state by the COVID-19 crisis, will be
tricky to navigate, but Gov. Tom Wolf said this week that he is still hopeful that many of the priorities he set in February are still achievable during this difficult time.
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Unprecedented times, but McNees is here to help
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The situation surrounding COVID-19 is changing by the hour.
Capitol Buzz
will do its best to keep our readers as up-to-date as possible as to local, state and federal actions relating to the virus.
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2020 SENATE SESSION SCHEDULE
The Senate stands in recess until the call of the President Pro Tempore
May
18, 19, 20
June
1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30
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2020 HOUSE SESSION SCHEDULE
The House stands adjourned until Monday, May 4 at 1:00 p.m.
May
4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18(NV)
June
8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30
September
15, 16, 17, 29, 30
October
1, 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21
November
10
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Harrisburg, PA 17101
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