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In This Update:
24 Counties Enter Yellow Phase; 13 More Move to Yellow on May 15
By May 15, a total of 37 Pennsylvania counties will be in the yellow phase of reopening, meaning more businesses can safely open with proper safety measures in place. Twenty-four counties are already in the yellow phase, while 13 more will join them on Friday. According to guidance from the Wolf Administration, all businesses that have been conducting operations through telework should continue to do so in the yellow phase. Businesses that serve the public should seek to conduct business by appointment only whenever possible, observe social distancing guidelines, limit large gatherings, and require all customers and employees to wear masks. Businesses that have questions about reopening should refer to the Department of Health’s Frequently Asked Questions webpage or call the department at 1-877-724-3258. Much more work needs to be done by the Wolf Administration to repair the damage caused by the governor’s shutdown orders. Many more businesses could open and operate safely if given the opportunity to do so with guidance from national health experts. Much more work needs to be done by the Wolf Administration to repair the damage caused by the governor’s shutdown orders. Many more businesses could open and operate safely if given the opportunity to do so with guidance from national health experts. Members of two Senate committees held a joint hearing last week to take a critical look at the governor’s plans to reopen Pennsylvania. Video and written testimony from the hearing are available, and some of the highlights of the hearing are summarized in the video below.
Officials Support Franklin, Huntingdon and Cumberland Counties reopening Friday, May 15I have joined with my colleagues to request the Governor open these counties effective May 15th. These counties have met the intention of the original Stay-at-Home Order, which was to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 outbreak; allow hospitals time to prepare for COVID-19 patients being admitted to the ICU; obtain any necessary additional ventilators; and to make sure our front line personnel have the necessary PPE required during a crisis. Our valued communities have stepped up to those tasks valiantly. As local elected officials, we care deeply and hold paramount the physical, mental, and economic health of our community. We have heard the pleas of our residents who desire the ability to safely re-open their businesses and safely return to work in order to ease these burdens created by the extended quarantine. It will require businesses who have the capability to safely re-open to adhere to CDC guidelines until further guidance is received for the county to move to the Green Phase. We believe based on the science, data, and the help of our trusted medical professionals and health care systems, we have met that goal. These counties have the capacity to re-open, and our hospital systems are prepared. Read letters here: Here is the video of Governor Wolf’s news conference from today in response to counties wanting to reopen. https://pasen.wistia.com/medias/apaz0ce5x8 The Governor outlined in his press release the following consequences to counties that do not abide by the law to remain closed:
County residents receiving unemployment compensation will be able to continue to receive benefits even if their employer reopens. Employees may choose not to return out of concern of personal safety. https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-to-pennsylvania-we-must-stay-the-course-we-must-follow-the-law/ REMINDER: Additional Hearings Scheduled on Governor’s Response to COVID-19
Last week, several Senate committees held hearings on a wide range of topics pertaining to the Wolf Administration’s response to COVID-19. The hearings included a closer look at the governor’s plan to reopen Pennsylvania, a thorough examination of numerous problems with the Unemployment Compensation program, a review of the response of the state’s Fine Wine & Good Spirits Stores during the pandemic, and an evaluation of the state’s failure to protect nursing home residents and staff. These hearings will continue this week with the following meetings: The Senate Education Committee reviewed the state’s efforts to provide continuity of education for students during the pandemic on Monday. The Senate Transportation Committee will discuss COVID-19 impacts on Pennsylvania’s transportation system on Tuesday beginning at 11 a.m. The Senate Judiciary Committee will explore the governor’s plan to release certain inmates from State Correctional Institutions on Wednesday beginning at 10 a.m. The Senate will be in session each day following the hearings. Testimony and video from all of these hearings will be available here. Business Waiver List Released, but Wolf Administration Ignores Subpoena for More Info
Because Governor Wolf has repeatedly denied requests to release information about the secretive, arbitrary and inconsistent process of granting waivers to businesses that wished to remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee issued a subpoena for this information on April 30. Unfortunately, the Wolf Administration ignored this request, as well as its duty to the people of Pennsylvania to be open and transparent about the process that dictated which businesses could stay open and which businesses were forced to close. The Department of Community and Economic Development released a list of 6,066 exemptions that were approved, but the list raised even more questions about the criteria used to determine which businesses were allowed to continue operating. Senate leaders are weighing the next steps to ensure the public can get a better understanding of the Wolf Administration’s process of picking winners and losers during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Appeals Window Extended for Unemployment Claimants Who Were Denied Benefits
Unemployment Compensation (UC) applicants who were denied benefits will have more time to appeal the decision if they believe the denial was incorrect. Under normal circumstances, appeals must be filed within 15 calendar days of the mailing date of the determination of eligibility. However, due to delays created by the COVID-19 pandemic, appeals can be filed indefinitely for determinations issued during the pandemic. More information on filing appeals of a denial of UC benefits is available from the Department of Labor and Industry. The Senate Labor and Industry Committee and the Senate Communications and Technology Committee held a joint hearing last week to dig deeper into the flaws in the UC system that have left approximately 30 percent of all applicants without a single payment during the entire public health emergency, which began in mid-March. Video and written testimony from the hearing are available online, and a short video with highlights from the hearing is available below.
New Guidance Issued for Non-Urgent Dental Care
Dental care providers can now resume non-urgent procedures under new guidance from the Department of Health. Providers must comply with CDC guidance, including the use of Personal Protective Equipment, in order to provide care safely. Dental providers are also advised to screen all patients for symptoms of COVID-19 before they arrive at the practice, and tele-dentistry should continue whenever possible. Updated Guidelines Available for Veterinary Practices
Veterinary services have continued to operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with precautions in place to avoid spreading the virus. The Department of State recently shared new guidance for veterinary practices to continue to operate safely. The new protocols are based on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s COVID-19 guidelines, which are available below: Minimizing COVID-19 Exposure and Social Distancing in Veterinary Practice |
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