In a news conference on March 14, 2020, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced the expansion of aggressive mitigation and “social distancing” measures (previously implemented the day before in Montgomery County) to Chester and Bucks counties beginning on Sunday in an effort to halt the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). These efforts have already gone into effect in Delaware County and will last for at least two weeks.
Pennsylvania residents were encouraged to act responsibly by refraining from nonessential travel. “Nonessential retail facilities” were also strongly encouraged to close to protect their employees and customers.
There was no definition provided with respect to what constitutes an “essential” versus a “nonessential” business beyond gas stations, pharmacies and grocery stores, all of which will remain open. It was, however, suggested that further elaboration and guidance will be forthcoming.
Nevertheless, the entire King of Prussia Mall has reportedly closed its doors. The mall’s ownership, Simon Property Group, had recently stated on its website that it expects “nonessential tenants of King of Prussia Mall [located in Montgomery County] to adhere to and comply with Gov. Wolf’s recommendation effective immediately.”
Essential services will continue to be available. These include police, fire, EMS and essential services for vulnerable populations such as the elderly.
Commonwealth employees living and/or working in Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties have been instructed to work from home, if possible, and will receive a 10-workday paid absence, similar to those employees in Montgomery County, if they do not have telework capabilities. Facilities that are administered by and within these four counties will follow the same procedures.
All schools within these neighboring four counties on “shut down” are required to close. This includes private and parochial schools as well as institutions of higher learning.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s statewide school closures – which will last for two weeks beginning on Monday, March 16 – will be limited to only public K-12 schools (including cyber charter schools, career technical centers and intermediate units) and childcare centers operating within any of those schools as well as all universities within the state’s System of Higher Education.
Pennsylvania reportedly has a total of 47 “presumptive positive” and six CDC-confirmed cases of Coronavirus at present, with three in Bucks County, two in Chester County, six in Delaware County and 20 in Montgomery County.
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