Pennsylvania Statewide COVID Shutdown Expected

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[niman]

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to order statewide shutdown over COVID-19

Wolf and other state officials will release more details to the public at 2 p.m.

 

ANGELA COULOUMBIS

Spotlight PA

 

 

 

MAR 16, 2020

 

1:45 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and PennLive/Patriot-News. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter.

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday will order a statewide shutdown as the number of COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania continues to grow, according to three sources familiar with the decision.

Mr. Wolf and other state officials will release more details to the public at 2 p.m.

The governor had previously placed four counties — Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery — under a shutdown order. That involved asking non-essential businesses like gyms, hair salons, and concert venues to close for 14 days. Wolf said pharmacies, grocery stores, and gas stations should stay open.

 

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolf orders restaurants, bars to end dine-in service in Allegheny, 4 other counties

Residents there were urged to curtail any non-essential travel.

On Sunday, Mr. Wolf also ordered restaurants in those four counties as well as Allegheny County to close their dine-in facilities for two weeks. He said carry-out and delivery service could continue.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

Spotlight PA deputy editor Sarah Anne Hughes contributed.

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First Published March 16, 2020, 1:44pm

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/03/16/pa-coronavirus-shutdown-pennsylvania-covid-19-gov-tom-wolf/stories/202003160109?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_PittsburghPG

[CoffeeLover]

Well, this didn't happen during the previous virus experiences.  Thank you for keeping us all informed and being central to watching the virus developments.  Are you set up at home?

[niman]

Gov. Wolf orders nonessential Pennsylvania businesses to shut down

MEGAN GUZA   | Monday, March 16, 2020 2:02 p.m.

AP

Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday ordered nonessential Pennsylvania businesses to shut down to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

 

 

 

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About an hour ago

Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday ordered nonessential Pennsylvania businesses to shut down to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

Wolf said he expects the closures to last at least two weeks but “we will be constantly re-evaluating.”

Wolf’s order came hours after New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Ohio enacted similar mandates, closing all casinos, gyms and movie theaters.

“This isn’t a decision I take lightly at all,” Wolf said. “It is one that I’m making because medical experts believe it is the only way we can prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed by patients.”

Essential services like trash collection, grocery stores and medical facilities will remain open, he said, and restaurants can continue offering take-out.

He said there is no reason to panic, but the virus should be taken seriously, which means making as few contacts as possible.

“For example, if you need to go to the pharmacy, go to the pharmacy,” Wolf said. “But don’t stop at several other stores or places on the way in and make contact with a dozen other people.”

Hours earlier, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 13 new confirmed cases of covid-19. That brings the total number of cases confirmed by the state to 76, including six in Allegheny County.

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said test results are rolling in from hospital and commercial labs across the state, and as of Monday morning, 670 patients had been tested and found to be negative.

She reiterated that individuals who do not have symptoms and are just worried should stay home. Even those who might feel somewhat sick but wouldn’t go to a doctor under normal circumstances should stay home.

“Your job right now is to stay calm, stay safe and, please, stay at home,” Levine said.

It will be up to individual businesses and organizations to heed the order, according to Wolf.

“This has to be self-enforced,” he said. “This is not your government mandating anything. This is your fellow public servants telling you what the right way to handle this public health crisis is.

“We’re not sending out the state police or National Guard to enforce this,” he continued.

Wolf on Sunday night had ordered all Allegheny County bars and restaurants to suspend dine-in services for 14 days. County officials also urged all nonessential businesses to close for two weeks.

The City of Pittsburgh ordered a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people, in accordance with a CDC recommendation.

This story will be updated.

• https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/gov-wolf-orders-all-nonessential-pennsylvania-businesses-to-shut-down/?utm_source=second-street&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Breaking news Wolf nonessential 3.16.20

 

 

Megan Guza is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Megan at 412-380-8519, [email protected] or via Twitter .