DelCo Chamber wants stay-at-home reconsidered

Posted by Press Release on May 11, 2020

Trish McFarland, President of Delaware County Chamber of Commerce today urged Gov. Tom Wolf, to reconsider his decision to extend Delaware County’s stay-at-home order until June 4, a press release said.

In the email to the governor, McFarland expressed her concern surrounding the extension citing that the business membership organization who represents more than 1,200 local businesses is fearful of the long term impact this extension will have on its local economy.

“Due to the impact on our business community and the individuals they employ we urge you to reconsider this decision and set an earlier date.” McFarland wrote. “We also ask you to separate the number of cases and fatalities from long care congregate-care facilities from the general population at large.”

McFarland, who has served as the organization’s president since 2015 and has worked as an advocate for business for nearly 15 years, went on to explain that her organization appreciates the work that the governor’s office has done thus far. Additionally, as it has in the past, it is willing to serve as a resource for his office so they receive the proper and accurate information as it relates to the local business community.

“As the primary business advocate in the county, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce serves as a resource for not only the business community but to you and other elected officials,” McFarland said. “We and our outstanding members - that range from small businesses donating food to nursing homes to large health care employers - can and have been a source of collaboration to bring much-needed resources to those most affected by COVID-19.”

McFarland continued by reassuring the governor that the local business community is ready and prepared to move into the next phase of his reopening plan.

“The Chamber has also been a resource in providing guidelines to businesses on how to open safely to protect their employees and customers.” McFarland continued. “Indeed, Delaware County employers are ready to open now and are willing to do it in a safe and measured matter to not only keep mitigating the spread of COVID-19 but also get people back to work. Proceeding to the next phase now, and not June 4, is critical for the hard-working residents of Delaware County and the employers who take pride in supporting them and their families.”

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is committed working side-by-side with the local business community and providing support, advocating for policy response, and delivering the most up-to-date resources in order to get through the COVID-19 outbreak. The business organization is looking forward to Governor Wolf’s response and his action to move toward a more rational date to reopen Delaware County.

For additional information regarding the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and the resources available to assist businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit www.delcochamber.org.