UPDATED: 7:45 p.m.
At the end of the two-week hiatus, government officials will reevaluate the situation.
School districts will not be penalized if schools fail to meet the 180-day requirement.
The School District of Philadelphia said it intended to stay open, but after the governor ordered a closure of Montgomery County, the district said staff members would be unable to come to work. As a result, the district announced — shortly before the governor — it will close for two weeks.
Area colleges have opted for online courses in lieu of in-person instruction.
Pennsylvania cases rise
The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced 19 new presumptive positive coronavirus cases on Friday, bringing the statewide total to 41.
In Montgomery County, four of the new cases announced Friday are a 45-year-old man and 41-year-old woman in Collegeville Borough, and a 37-year-old man and 36-year-old woman in Skippack. They had contact with someone else who tested positive.
Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said they're asking restaurants do takeout only, and if they do have sit down service, to keep people six feet apart to try to limit the spread of the virus.
She urged people to shop only for supplies they need rather than stockpiling, reminding that about 80% will see minor symptoms at worst.
Of the 41 cases, six have been verified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of Friday, more than 300 people have been tested for COVID-19, more than 140 of which tested negative. There are 130 tests pending.
In Philadelphia, the two new cases all result from overseas travel or close contact with someone who has the virus. None of the cases is severe. In addition to the 30-day ban on large gatherings, many smaller meetings are being cancelled or postponed, including City Council's meeting next week and its committee hearings.
Supervised visits in family court are cancelled for two weeks, but courts and city offices are open, and Managing Director Brian Abernathy said city services will continue, despite the complication of schools being closed.
"The city has relaxed leave time and approved working from home, as have many businesses. Children's Hospital has added coronavirus information to its poison control hotline. That number is 800-722-7112," he said.
Delaware County
Wolf said the coronavirus mitigation guidelines in effect for Montgomery County will be extended to Delaware County as of Saturday, and he’s asking businesses to use their own judgment when it comes to staying open.
He is recommending non-essential businesses in Montgomery County – and, as of Saturday, Delaware County – to close or modify operations. He cites supermarkets, pharmacies, and gas stations as essential businesses.
But what is a non-essential business? Wolf says businesses should use common sense.
"I mentioned things like gyms, and places where people congregate. That’s just unhealthy. And you’re touching equipment that other people have touched and maybe sweated on. Well, you know, let’s all think about this," Wolf said.
Wolf also said, for example, people might want to think about buying gift cards at restaurants instead of sitting down for a meal. But he said he has no plans to send the state police or other agents to enforce restrictions on businesses in Montgomery and Delaware counties.
Starting Monday, Delaware County will operate it’s court system and government with a reduced and staggered staff.
What parents are doing
Jacob Greenbaum is the parent of three young children who attend a Montgomery County private school which has now been closed.
"I think this is probably going to be a shift in how we live our lives after this," Greenbaum said.
Judy Groener, head of school at Perelman Jewish Dayschool, said it is extremely unprecedented to be asking parents to try and continue the school curriculum at home.
"I think it may be the new temporary normal for a number of weeks," Groener said.
Greenbaum said his family will be coping the best they can, but recognized not everyone has the support he has.
"We're going to be taking shifts. There will be times where I'll be able to head back to a quiet place and do some work and same thing with my wife," he explained.
Groener recommends trying as best as possible to keep some sort of schedule while away from school.
"Yeah, these are school days. I think the most important tip for parents is to remain calm," she added.
Public services suspend shutoffs, extend deadlines
PSEG in New Jersey announced, effective immediately, it is temporarily suspending shutoffs of electric or gas service for residential customers, due to a lack of payment.
PSEG said it is aware that some of its customers may be negatively affected by the pandemic, so in the interest of protecting public health, it is making sure customers — regardless of payment — have access to gas and electricity until further notice.
PECO is doing the same, waiving late payment charges through at least May 1.
PennDOT is extending the expiration dates for motor vehicle services in Montgomery County, which applies to driver’s licenses, identification cards, vehicle registrations, and safety and emission inspections.
Those documents, which are scheduled to expire between March 13 and 31, are now extended until April 30.
PennDOT said the action comes after the state closed all driver’s license and photo license centers for two weeks.
Customers can still complete various transactions and other resources online.
In Philadelphia, Sheriff's sales are postponed until April 15.
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