HARRISBURG (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) -- Governor Tom Wolf announced his plan to slowly reopen the state of Pennsylvania, saying that the process "will not just be flipping a switch to go from closed to open", but, instead, work within three phases—red, yellow, and green.
Gov. Wolf said that we are currently in the red phase, which consists of tight restrictions in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 through strict social distancing. This means that only life-sustaining businesses are open, limited telework, and that people are to stay home except for critical needs.
Tonight, I'm announcing our plan to slowly reopen Pennsylvania.We will use a measured, scientific approach. We will not just be flipping a switch to go from closed to open.And, ultimately, #COVID19 will set the timeline.There will be three phases: red, yellow, and green. pic.twitter.com/NahiYrKovo
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) April 22, 2020Just as the administration did with ordering stay-at-home orders, they will take a county-by-county approach in moving from phase to phase.
Currently, the north-central and northwest regions are being looked at, with the hope to move into the yellow phase by May 8th.
The administration will use the Department of Health metrics and a data tool developed by Carnegie Mellon University.
The yellow phase will be the first phase of reopening, which will have fewer restrictions, but with exceptions.
Telework must continue where feasible, stay-at-home restrictions will be lifted, and retail and child care will reopen with strict protections in place.
Places like schools, gyms, and other indoor recreation centers, as well as large gatherings, will continue to be closed.
The end goal is to reach the green phase, which will have the least amount of restrictions as life returns to a "new normal."
During the green phase, stay-at-home orders will be lifted, businesses/individuals will follow the guidelines from the Pennsylvania Health Department and the CDC, which will allow the reopening to minimize a COVID 19 resurgence.
Watch the full press conference below:
For more information on the three phases, please visit Gov. Wolf's website by clicking here.
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