Five-county area remains closed

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on May 1, 2020

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf today said 24 counties in the state may move from the red to the yellow zone and may partially reopen next Friday, May 8. However, the five counties in the Philadelphia region — Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery will remain under the governor's stay at home order.

Some counties may resume reopening next Friday, but the five-county Philadelphia region will remain under the stay at home order.

Counties, where restrictions will be reduced, are the more rural counties of Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Venango, and Warren.

In his press conference, Wolf said those counties were chosen because of a reduced per capita COVID-19 case counts, smaller population density, and a greater ability to do contact tracing.

The governor said it's unknown when the Southeast portions of the state can move from red to yellow. "We don't control the timetable," Wolf said, "the virus controls it."

He also said there's no idea yet on whether more shifts from red to yellow or yellow to green can happen before the June 2 primary election.

Some businesses can begin to reopen in the yellow phase. Retail businesses can open as long as social distancing can be maintained, but those that require close contact with customers — such gyms and nail salons — will remain closed, as will movie theaters.

Large gathering of more than 25 people will still be prohibited, and restaurants will still only be allowed for takeout service.

"Every human-to-human contact is a chance for the virus to spread," said Wolf.

Health Secretary Rachel Levine urged Pennsylvanians to continue practicing social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands for at least 20 seconds or for as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.