PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus.
Beginning Monday, March 16 at 9 a.m. public gatherings of 250 or more people are prohibited.
This includes the Home and Garden show ending early with Friday being the last day for the show.
“As the coronavirus has spread throughout the world, we have learned one great lesson: that by taking decisive action early on, we can slow the spread of the disease and save untold numbers of lives,” Mayor Peduto said. “I am making this announcement now so our residents can further plan for the impacts COVID-19 will have on them and their families, most likely for weeks to come.”
Also on Friday, Governor Tom Wolf ordered all K-12 schools closed for two weeks.
Peduto says while the support the governor's decision, they were not given a heads up and had to act without warning for what to do with the children out of school who need food.
Mayor Peduto says the city working with nonprofits to provide food for schoolchildren in the city while Pittsburgh Public is closed.
The declaration allows Peduto to implement the following measures:
- Cancelling or limiting large gatherings
- Cancelling or limiting events or gatherings that require City permits
- Encouraging the use of social distancing to lessen exposure and transmission of disease
- Cancelling or limiting some City services
- Cancelling or limiting public and private activities that could increase exposure or transmission of disease
The state of emergency will be in effect for an initial period of seven days and is subject to ratification and could be renewed by Pittsburgh City Council.Peduto added the city will also be working with health care providers UPMC and Allegheny Health Network to help expand testing capacity and hospital needs.
Peduto adds while the powers of the emergency declaration are broad, he plans on only using what is absolutely necessary. Other actions the city has taken amid the COVID-19 outbreak include:
- The City banned all City government-affiliated meetings of more than 50 people, and business-related travel by City employees
- The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority extended its shut-off moratorium until May 31 and waived income qualification criteria. Pennsylvania American Water has also ceased shut-offs
- The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh extended assistance to Pittsburgh small businesses
- The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh suspended all evictions except for those with serious public safety implications
- Columbia Gas, Duquesne Light and Peoples Gas have suspended service shut-offs until at least May 1
Beginning Monday, city employees with kids in school will be able to tele-work from home if possible. If that is not possible, the employee can bring their child to the office.
The city advises everyone to wash their hands and clean surfaces regularly and not go to work or out if you feel sick.
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