Tag Archives: COVID19

Bucks County to move to Yellow Phase of COVID-19 Quarantine Status June 5th

Governor Tom Wolf’s office has announced that they expect Bucks County to move to the Yellow Phase of COVID-19 quarantine on June 5th. The state used risk-based metrics from Carnegie Mellon University combined with contact tracing and testing capability and a sustained reduction in COVID-19 hospitalizations.

Over the past two weeks:

  • The state has seen sustained reductions in hospitalizations. From May 8 when the first counties moved to yellow to yesterday, the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized dropped by nearly one thousand – from 2,618 to 1,667.
  • The number of COVID patients on ventilators shrank by about a third, from 505 to 347.
  • New cases continue to decline: From May 8 to May 15, the state added 6,384 cases and from May 15 to 21, added 4,770.
  • The current COVID-19 incidence rate in the state is 83.4 cases per 100,000 people. Two weeks ago, it was 113.6 per 100,000. Most other states are seeing their new case rate continue to increase or remain flat. Pennsylvania is one of just 19 states with new case-rate declines.
  • Bucks County COVID-19 Dashboard
  •  Bucks County official COVID-19 portal
  • COVID-19 Testing Sites
  • Bucks County COVID cases interactive map

  • Yellow Phase

    Work & Congregate Setting Restrictions

    • Telework Must Continue Where Feasible

    • Businesses with In-Person Operations Must Follow Business and Building Safety Orders

    • Child Care Open Complying with Guidance

    • Congregate Care and Prison Restrictions in Place

    • Schools Remain Closed for In-Person Instruction

    Social Restrictions

    • Stay at Home Order Lifted for Aggressive Mitigation

    • Large Gatherings of More Than 25 Prohibited

    • In-Person Retail Allowable, Curbside and Delivery Preferable

    • Indoor Recreation, Health and Wellness Facilities and Personal Care Services (such as gyms, spas, hair salons, nail salons and other entities that provide massage therapy), and all Entertainment (such as casinos, theaters) Remain Closed

    • Restaurants and Bars Limited to Carry-Out and Delivery Only

    • All businesses must follow CDC and DOH guidance for social distancing and cleaning

    • Monitor public health indicators, adjust orders and restrictions as necessary

    After a county transitions to the yellow phase, we will closely monitor for increased risk, such as significant outbreaks. If overall risk remains mitigated for fourteen days, we will transition the county to the green phase.

    The green phase eases most restrictions by lifting the stay at home and business closure orders to allow the economy to strategically reopen while continuing to prioritize public health.

    While this phase will facilitate a return to a “new normal,” it will be equally important to continue to monitor public health indicators and adjust orders and restrictions as necessary to ensure the spread of disease remains at a minimum.

Supervisors Meeting via Zoom Wednesday, May 13th, 7pm

Bridgeton Township Meeting RoomThe Bridgeton Township Supervisor’s will have their regular monthly meeting Wednesday, May 13th at 7 pm.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic this meeting will be held remotely.
If you are interested in attending, please email us at info@bridgetontwp.org with
your contact information or call (610) 982-5255 and leave a message with your phone
number so that we can contact you with the credentials to enter the meeting.

Agenda 05-13-2020

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

Gov. Wolf Announces Reopening of 24 Counties Beginning May 8

Balancing economic benefits and public health risks, Governor Tom Wolf today announced the reopening of 24 counties in the northwest and north-central regions of the state, moving them from red to yellow beginning at 12:01 a.m., Friday, May 8.

“Over the past two months, Pennsylvanians in every corner of our commonwealth have acted collectively to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Wolf said. “We have seen our new case numbers stabilize statewide and while we still have areas where outbreaks are occurring, we also have many areas that have few or no new cases.”

Counties Moving to Yellow Reopening
The 24 counties that will move from red to yellow on May 8 are: 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.

These counties were deemed ready to move to a reopening – or yellow phase – because of low per-capita case counts, the ability to conduct contact tracing and testing, and appropriate population density to contain community spread.

Click this link for a comprehensive update on the Process to Reopen Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania announces May 1 Statewide Reopening of Limited Outdoor Recreational Activities

Starting Friday, May 1, golf courses, marinas, guided fishing trips and privately owned campgrounds in Pennsylvania may reopen and are required to follow updated life-sustaining business guidance and FAQ 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance on visiting parks and recreational facilities. These guidelines must be followed statewide by businesses and when engaging in outdoor activity while the state disaster declaration remains in effect. The guidelines will ensure the safety of individuals and families engaging in outdoor activities and adherence will help slow the spread of COVID-19.

  • Stay close to home: Pennsylvanians are encouraged to enjoy permitted outdoor recreational activities within their community and avoid crowding popular destinations.
  • Practice social distancing: Maintain the recommended minimum 6 feet apart from fellow recreationists. Pennsylvanians are also encouraged to wear a mask or protective garment that covers the nose and mouth any time they go outside. If a parking lot at a park is full or there are too many people on the same trail, find an alternate place to recreate. Cross the street to avoid running directly past another runner or wait longer at a golf hole for a fellow golfer to move forward.
  • Minimize risk to others: Individuals should only go out if they feel healthy and have not been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Practice good hygiene: Wash hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs and handrails.
  • Have a plan: Create a safety plan before heading outdoors. Explain to children the need to keep their distance from others, even if they happen to see a friend while outside. Discuss with partners, social distancing while on the golf course. Think through how to avoid other runners when waiting to safely cross a street at the same time.

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit on.pa.gov/coronavirus.

Palisades Community Foundation COVID19 Relief Fund

Dear Folks,

Just wanted to pass on some good news in the midst of this Covid 19 challenge.  One of the Bridgeton Township supervisors was recently approached by a Bridgeton resident with an unusual request:  He wanted help in finding out how to donate money to residents in need.  He said he felt fortunate that the Covid 19 virus had not seriously impacted his family, and he felt compelled to give to others here in our community that are less fortunate.

We contacted the Palisades School District, which, in turn, put us in contact with the Palisades Community Foundation.  It is a wonderful not-for-profit community based organization that works with Palisades School District.  It has partnered with the School District on many projects and now is helping those in need.  We learned that it needs money to purchase food Items for distribution.   The Palisades School District Food Service Department will purchase, bag and distribute food items to our community-at-large, targeting those in need.  The distribution would take place outside of the normal breakfast/lunch distributions that it has currently for children in our community.

In any case, this gentleman’s request led to others wishing to make the same gesture.  Bridgeton residents (who wish to remain anonymous) have now donated $2500 to the Palisades Community Foundation that will go directly for this purpose!

If you wish to make a tax-free donation to the Palisades Community Foundation (PCF), please mail your donation to:

Palisades Community Foundation

P.O. Box 194

Kintnersville, PA 18930

and mark it as COVID-19 relief funds.

You can also donate online  at palisadescommunityfoundation.org.

Please also feel free to contact any of the Bridgeton Township Supervisors with any questions or ideas on how we can help others here in our community.

Hoping you all remain healthy,

Bridgeton Township Supervisors

Gard Holby

Roger Keller

Michael Lynch

Bucks County reopening parks on Monday

https://6abc.com/bucks-county-parks-pennsylvania-coronavirus-pa-covid-19/6108045/

https://www.theintell.com/news/20200416/bucks-to-reopen-parks-closed-by-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR2EQVRn0kg2BLseJtSzmtxxYdZ7lJx6MEP7ZkTLnb3dq65-jByt6AFkzxY

Bucks County officials will reopen parks after they were closed weeks ago to manage the spread of the coronavirus.

Commissioner Bob Harvie said officials have decided to open the parks on Monday, but visitors should maintain social distancing.

Parks were closed on March 24 to protect residents and employees.

Benefits for Self-Employed – Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) FAQs

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act creates a new temporary federal program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

In general, PUA provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits, including those who have exhausted all rights to such benefits.

Individuals covered under PUA include the self-employed (e.g. independent contractors, gig economy workers, and workers for certain religious entities), those seeking part-time employment, individuals lacking sufficient work history, and those who otherwise do not qualify for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits.

The Department of Labor and Industry plans to start accepting applications this Friday, April 17th. This program (PUA Benefits) is separate from the standard unemployment program and requires a separate registration. There will be a new application link so please DON’T apply using the existing link or your claim will be rejected.

Once the program is open, people will be eligible to receive backdated payments to January 27, or the first week they were unable to work due to COVID-19, whichever of the two dates is later.

Supervisors Meeting via Zoom Wednesday, April 8th, 7pm

Bridgeton Township Meeting RoomThe Bridgeton Township Supervisor’s will have their regular monthly meeting Wednesday, April 8th at 7 pm.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic this meeting will be held remotely.
If you are interested in attending, please email us at info@bridgetontwp.org with
your contact information or call (610) 982-5255 and leave a message with your phone
number so that we can contact you with the credentials to enter the meeting.

04-08-2020 Agenda

 

 

 
 
 
 

Governor Wolf and Health Secretary Issue ‘Stay at Home’ Orders to 7 Counties to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19

Stay-At-Home-Order-Guidance

Secretary of Health Official Stay at Home Order

PA Governor Official Stay at Home Order

Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today issued “Stay at Home” orders to Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Monroe, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, as the state seeks relief to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19.

This order takes effect at 8:00 PM on Monday, March 23, 2020, and will continue until April 6, 2020.

All schools statewide will also remain closed through at least April 6, 2020.

“I remain deeply concerned about this public health crisis and we must continue to take careful but critical steps now to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Wolf said. “We are issuing these orders because Pennsylvanians’ health and safety remains our highest priority.”

“The number of cases continues to grow and so we must take further steps to stop the spread of this contagious and dangerous novel virus to protect the public’s health and mitigate the risk to our hospital system,” Dr. Levine said. “There is one way to make sure people don’t need to be hospitalized and we don’t strain our health care system: Stay calm. Stay home. Stay safe.”

Individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following allowable individual activities and allowable essential travel:

  • Tasks essential to maintain health and safety, or the health and safety of their family or household members (including pets), such as obtaining medicine or medical supplies, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home
  • Getting necessary services or supplies for themselves, for their family or household members, or as part of volunteer efforts, or to deliver those services or supplies to others to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences
  • Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking or running if they maintain social distancing
  • To perform work providing essential products and services at a life-sustaining business
  • To care for a family member or pet in another household
  • Any travel related to the provision of or access to the above-mentioned individual activities or life-sustaining business activities
  • Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons
  • Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services
  • Travel to return to a place of residence from an outside jurisdiction
  • Travel required by law enforcement or court order.
  • Travel required for non-residents to return to their place of residence outside the commonwealth

The following operations are exempt:

  • Life-sustaining business activities
  • Health care or medical services providers
  • Access to life-sustaining services for low-income residents, including food banks
  • Access to child care services for employees of life-sustaining businesses that remain open as follows: child care facilities operating under the Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning waiver process; group and family child care operating in a residence; and part-day school age programs operating under an exemption from the March 19, 2020 business closure Orders.
  • News media
  • Law enforcement
  • The federal government
  • Religious institutions

Individuals experiencing homelessness are not subject to this order but are strongly urged to find shelter and government agencies are urged to take steps needed to provide shelter for those individuals.

International students, foster youth, and any other students who would otherwise experience displacement or homelessness as a result of campus closures are exempt and may remain in campus housing.

At this time, law enforcement will be focused on ensuring that residents are aware of the order and informing the public of social distancing practices rather than enforcement. To report a noncompliant business, contact your local law enforcement agency’s non-emergency number or the nearest Pennsylvania State Police station. Please do not call 911 or the Department of Community and Economic Development to file reports. Law enforcement officers should refer to Business Closure Order Enforcement Guidance available online.

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, Pennsylvanians should visit: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/.