April 16, 2020: COVID-19 Update from the Centre Region Emergency Management Program

April 16, 2020: COVID-19 Update from the Centre Region Emergency Management Program


Centre Region Specific News:

• State College Borough: The Borough's Health Officer was able to get clarification on the Governor's mask order from the state. If an employee is in their own space, office, cubicle, etc, then wearing a mask at that time is not needed as long as they are at least 6 feet apart in spacing. When the employee goes to move around, and has the chance of interacting with another, then the mask would be worn. If someone comes into the office from the public, then the public and the employee need to be masked to continue whatever transaction is needed.

• On the question about not wearing a mask if picking up food or medicine. If the facility has provided a drive through area where there is distance and no contact, then a mask does not need to be worn to pick up those items. If you are walking into a food / medicine facility to pick up your food / medicine, and you will be inside and in close contact with another individual, then a mask must be worn to pick up those items.

• Generally speaking, if there is a chance of close contact with another person, then a mask must be worn to slow the spread. Good sanitation of the facility is also needed. Obviously every situation is going to be a little different.
  
  

• The Governor extended the Stay At Home Order to April 30th. The order has been extended to cover the entire state.

• There are now 27,735 cases in PA. There are 73 cases in Centre County.

• The House SB 841 last night, which contains a number of provisions for local governments. Among them: it allows local governments to hold a meeting without a physical quorum in place and to use teleconferencing to hold a meeting; allows for public participation through teleconferencing or written comments; and makes changes to deadlines for plans. You can read more here: https://2k4nj3p959z35d47i3rgaw41-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SB-841-summary-April-9-2020.pdf

• The Governor just signed a new order on worker safety that has specific requirements for life sustaining businesses. Customers visiting life sustaining businesses are also now required to wear masks and can be denied entry for not wearing one. The order goes into effect on April 19th at 8:00 PM. You can read the order here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-health-secretary-signs-order-providing-worker-safety-measures-to-combat-covid-19/

• Governor Wolf is working with the governors of New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island and Massachusetts on a plan to eventually reopen their states' economies. You can read more here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-governor-cuomo-governor-murphy-governor-lamont-governor-carney-governor-raimondo-announce-multi-state-council-to-get-people-back-to-work-and-restore-the-economy/