Released: September 4, 2020
With the arrival of the Labor Day Holiday weekend, many Delaware County residents are looking forward to traveling and enjoying time with friends and family. Delaware County Council cautions residents to act responsibly and continue to follow the latest COVID-19 guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State of Pennsylvania.
Residents must continue to:
Wear a mask in public (wearing a mask is mandatory under the Governor’s order)
Maintain a physical distance of at six feet or more from others
Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds
Clean and disinfect surfaces often
Limit group gatherings and crowds (indoor events are limited to 25 people and outdoor events are limited to 250 people under the Governor’s order.)
Delaware County residents have made social sacrifices since March, which have led to mitigating the spread of COVID-19, reducing the number of positive cases and sparing countless individuals from health consequences.
The science is clear: masks, social distancing, and good hygiene saves lives. Adhering to the guidance protects our family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers. Delaware County Council thanks the business community and residents who are making socially responsible decisions.
“Let’s not jeopardize the significant sacrifices made by Delaware County residents and businesses and dishonor the memory of lost friends and family by ignoring months of good behavior,” cautioned Delaware County Council Chairman Brian Zidek. “We all want a return to normalcy, with in-person schooling, indoor dining, busy shops, sports, concerts, museums and churches. But irresponsible behavior on this busy weekend threatens to set us back. We ask residents to be safe and be smart.”
Many states, including Pennsylvania, reported significant surges in positive cases in the weeks after the Memorial Day and July 4th holidays.
“We each have an impact on our community and our behaviors will affect what the future will look like as we continue to fight this pandemic,” said Zidek. “We ask parents in particular to help ensure their children and family behave safely and prevent a resurgence that could negatively impact plans for in-person teaching, sports and the full opening of businesses.”
Events and gatherings in Pennsylvania remain restricted, with indoor events limited to 25 persons and outdoor events and gatherings limited to 250 persons (including staff). Rules and restrictions in other states may differ and are subject to change. Residents are urged to take appropriate precautions when traveling to avoid contracting the virus and bringing it back to Delaware County.
Per the Pennsylvania Department of Health most recent travel advisory (updated August 28, 2020), if you travel to an area where there are high amounts of COVID-19 cases, it is recommended that you stay at home for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania. If you travel to the following states, it is recommended that you quarantine for 14 days upon return: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.
Residents who believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 or may be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should speak with a physician and be tested. Residents can visit www.delcopa.gov/test for the latest testing information, including resources that list dozens of test sites throughout the county.
Those experiencing severe and/or persistent pain, difficulty breathing, pressure in the chest or chest pain, bleeding, confusion, or bluish lips or face, should call 911 or go to their closest Emergency Room.
Contact tracing is the process of identifying individuals who may have come in contact with an infected person. Residents who test positive for COVD-19 or have attended large gatherings or traveled outside the state have an increased chance of being contacted as part of this process. We urge residents to provide honest and accurate information to contract tracers to help quickly identify others who may have been exposed or are COVID-19 positive to help reduce the spread.
Contract tracers never ask for social security numbers, private financial information, credit card information, immigration status.
Please visit the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Guidance and Resources website at www.governor.pa.gov/covid-19/ for the most up-to-date guidance for individuals, businesses, schools, sports, recreation, restaurants, hospitals, veterans, salons and barber shops, and more.