HARRISBURG (100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA) — Governor Tom Wolf signed a fourth renewal of the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday.
The declarations have been running in 90-day stretches, with the first one having been originally signed on March 6, 2020.
Wolf also addressed the execution of Pennsylvania's vaccine rollout but mostly emphasized the need to stay the course and continue distributing those vaccines as safely and efficiently as possible.
"COVID-19 vaccinations have begun, but we are still in the early stages of vaccine administration," said Wolf.
"We will continue to prioritize a safe, efficient and equitable distribution process and expect vaccinations to increase as the federal government makes more vaccines available to states. This renewal will allow the commonwealth to maintain its response and support efforts as we continue testing, contact tracing, and vaccination efforts to keep Pennsylvanians safe."
The renewed declaration would expedite the vaccine allocation process.
It allows for the approved agencies to procure and distribute vaccines quickly and effectively.
In addition to the vaccine efforts, the declaration also waives specific time-consuming requirements of receiving unemployment benefits, such as the one-week waiting period for workers' compensation.
The newest proclamation would run for 90 days, just like the extensions in 2020.
Of course, this is the path that will be followed until vaccines reach a critical threshold and allow for a safe rescission of the declaration.
This, too, would be handed down by Governor Wolf when the context deems it appropriate.
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