UPDATE: Four counties added to 'stay-at-home' order, includes Dauphin and Cumberland, and other news...

UPDATE: Four Counties Added to Gov. 'Stay-at-Home' Order, Includes Dauphin and Cumberland

Carbon, Cumberland, Dauphin and Schuylkill now under "stay-at-home" order.

Earlier today, Gov. Tom Wolf included Carbon, Cumberland, Dauphin and Schuylkill counties to his "stay-at-home" order, bringing the total number of counties under the "stay-at-home" guidelines to 26.

To read the governor's updated proclamation, click here. To see the guidelines for affected counties, click here.

According to the Department of Health, as of this morning the Commonwealth has nearly 700 new positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide, bringing the state total of confirmed cases to 4,087. To date, 49 Pennsylvanians have died directly from complications from the virus.

Over the weekend, Gov. Wolf requested a major disaster declaration be issued by the federal government for Pennsylvania through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This designation would provide additional support for state, county and municipal governments during the COVID-19 outbreak. The major disaster designation could also help state non-profits and individuals who are struggling during the pandemic.

In addition, on Sunday, President Donald Trump extended the federal government's guidance on social distancing until April 30. The White House's decision to extend the mitigation guidelines is part of the federal government's continued effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Other News...

Additional Guidance on Families First Response Act provided. The McNees Labor and Employment Practice Group discusses additional guidance offered by the U.S. Department of Labor regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a federal law that requires many employers to provide emergency paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specific reasons related to COVID-19. The Families FIrst Coronavirus Response Act is separate from the recently passed federal CARES Act.

McNees Land Use Practice Group discusses updates to federal guidance for housing construction during COVID-19 outbreak. The Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has updated its guidance related to its Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce advisory list. The McNees Land Use Practice Group breaks down the federal CISA guidelines and what it means specifically for housing construction projects in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers to conduct webinar on SBA disaster loans. Do you have questions about the federal Small Business Administration's emergency disaster loan program for your small business? The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers are hosting no-cost webinars to help Pennsylvania small business owners manage the process . The next upcoming webinars will be held on March 31, April 1 and April 2. Registration and more information can be found here .

Pa. dentists turn to tele-dentistry during COVID-19 outbreak. To continue to provide services to Pennsylvania citizens during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, many dentists in the Commonwealth are turning to telemedicine options to provide dentistry services remotely .

Needs for older Pennsylvanians grow amid virus outbreak. The Commonwealth's Secretary of Aging, Robert Torres, outlines the growing needs of older residents during the COVID-19 crisis, including challenges involving nutrition and mental health. Torres said the state’s Area Agencies on Aging have developed plans to help seniors receive nutrition in the absence of communal meals at senior centers during the crisis.

Unprecedented times, but McNees is here to help

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.

As we have stated in previous editions, for those businesses seeking guidance or assistance on how to proceed during this unprecedented time, please contact the McNees Labor and Employment Practice Group , or for government relations assistance please contact the McNees Strategic Solutions Group (MSSG) .

For more information on what you can do to protect yourself and others, check out the CDC's coronavirus information page or visit www.health.pa.gov .