This afternoon, Governor Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine signed an amended Green Phase Order to include Delaware County. Under the order, Delaware County will move to the Green Phase of the Governor’s phased reopening plan at 12:01 am on June 26.
Delaware County has successfully met each of the criteria set forth by Governor Wolf, as shown on the Chester County Health Department’s Progress Towards Green reopening plan. Confirmed new cases over a two-week period have continued to decrease, down 21.4% versus the previous two-week period. Additionally, the percent of positive tests over the past two weeks has decreased to 6.0%, down from a peak of approximately 46% in April.
“Delaware County is prepared to move to the next level of re-opening,” said Delaware County Council Chairman Brian Zidek. “Delaware County has been and will continue to work with public health officials from the state and the Chester County Health Department, as well as the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce to ensure businesses and residents are educated and prepared as we enter the Green Phase. We urge businesses, organizations, and residents to continue to follow guidance from public health officials to ensure we can safely and confidently re-open.”
As Delaware County moves into the Green Phase, it’s important to remind residents that guidelines continue to be in place for the health and safety of all residents. This includes the public, business owners, and their employees.
Green Phase Work and Congregate Settings Restrictions:
1. Continued telework strongly encouraged
2. Businesses with in-person operations must follow updated Business and Building Safety Requirements
3. All businesses operating at 50% occupancy in the Yellow Phase may increase to 75% occupancy
4. Child care may open complying with guidance
5. Congregate care restrictions remain in place
6. Prison and hospital restrictions determined by individual facilities
7. Schools subject to CDC and Commonwealth guidance
Green Phase Social Restrictions:
1. Large gatherings of more than 250 prohibited
2. Masks are required when entering a business
3. Restaurants and bars can operate at 50% occupancy
4. Personal care services (including hair salons and barbershops) can open at 50% occupancy and by appointment only
5. Indoor recreation, health and wellness facilities, and personal care services (such as gyms and spas) can open at 50% occupancy with appointments strongly encouraged
6. All entertainment venues (such as casinos, theaters, and shopping malls) can open at 50% occupancy
7. Construction activity may return to full capacity with continued implementation of protocols
Last month, Delaware County Council, the Delaware County Commerce Center, and the Delaware Chamber of Commerce convened the Bringing Back Delco Task Force—comprised of community, business, and government representatives—to assist and support the Delaware County business community to ensure a safe reopening of the local economy.
The Bringing Back Delco website contains important information, resources, and downloadable flyers and graphics for business owners to display and share with their employees. It also offers an online small business support store to help businesses procure the supplies they needed to reopen safely, many of which are in short supply. Items included: hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, gloves, masks, and six-foot floor markers. Business owners can order these items online at a discounted price and pick up the kits on either June 22 or 23 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Broomall Fire Department (1 N. Malin Rd., Broomall, PA)
More information and a link to order supplies can be found here: www.BringingBackDelco.com
Residents are also urged to adhere to COVID-19 safety guidance:
Continuing to wear a mask in public
Allowing for social distancing of at least 6 feet
Washing your hands with soap and water
Sneezing and coughing into your elbow
Staying home if you have symptoms of the virus.
Delaware County is developing a plan to reopen the Government Center and County offices to the public. More details will be announced soon.
As of June 19, there were 80,236 positive cases in the state and 6,361 deaths. There were 7,050 positive cases in Delaware County and 680 deaths due to COVID-19. The Chester County Health Department continues to track recovery data on its COVID-19 dashboard. As of June 19, 79% of residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered.
“Delaware County Council has been doing everything within our ability to help bring Delaware County into the Green Phase and to ease restrictions in both a safe and timely manner that does not jeopardize the lives of our residents,” said Zidek. “The Green Phase does not mean ‘full-throttle go’. Just as we did throughout the yellow phase, all residents are strongly urged to continue to follow public health guidance. This includes wearing a mask in public, continue social distancing, work from home if you can, and continue proper hygiene recommendations.”
More details on the Governor’s “Process to Reopen Pennsylvania” can be found here: www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/