UPDATED: 10:15p.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia officials announced Thursday afternoon they are immediately prohibiting gatherings with more than 1,000 people for 30 days.
Officials also strongly recommend cancelling gatherings with more than 250 people. That includes churches and sporting events. Officials are also not recommending closing Philadelphia schools, restaurants or businesses.
Health Commissioner Tom Farley is not recommending canceling all gatherings.
"If you prohibit small gatherings, then you start to prohibit gatherings that are really essential to the functioning of a society," he said.
The Philadelphia School District is cancelling large school activities and sports through spring break, but athletic practices will go on.
The school district confirmed that a teacher at a Philadelphia high school is self-isolating, after a relative tested positive for coronavirus.
District officials wouldn't confirm the school, but reports on social media say the teacher is from Phillip Randolph Technical High School.
Lewis added in a statement: "At this time, the School District of Philadelphia does NOT have any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in its schools or offices."
Superintendent William Hite said while schools citywide are remaining open, the district could look at closing schools on an individual basis if it's determined to be necessary.
However, by late Thursday evening, the school district announced that 63 schools will be closed Friday due to unexpected staff shortages.
City Council
The new coronavirus was very much on Philadelphia city councilmembers' minds when they met Thursday. New safety precautions were in effect, councilmembers introduced three resolutions related to the illness, and the Kenney administration requested the transfer of $85 million to fight a potential outbreak.
"We have made several changes to council's regular routine today," said council President Darrell Clarke. "This will likely continue until further notice from the Department of Health."
He explained that blocking off every other chair in the spectators' section and moving council caucus to a larger space, among other measures, were meant not to create panic but to create distance between people and reduce the likelihood of potential transmission.
Anti-#coronavirus measures @PHLCouncil pic.twitter.com/FNXXhfv39D
— Pat Loeb (@PatLoeb) March 12, 2020Three councilmembers introduced proposals designed to ease the burden on residents should there be an outbreak.
Councilmember Helen Gym introduced a resolution calling for a moratorium on evictions, foreclosures and utility shut-offs in the event of an outbreak.
"We have to do all we can to make sure people are in stable housing and have full access to full utilities in the event of a public health emergency," Gym said.
Councilmember Kendra Brooks introduced a resolution calling on the city to ensure that workers' health benefits and paid time off are protected.
"When everyone was upset about the NBA being suspended, I was concerned about my friends and family that work at the stadiums and how that would impact their life and taking care of their families," she said.
And Councilmember David Oh offered a measure asking the School District of Philadelphia and the state school board to waive the requirement for a doctor's note if a student is absent for more than three days.
Councilmembers also cancelled several meetings and hearings they'd planned.
Council President Darrell Clarke said council's measures are aimed at prevention.
"We want to reduce any potential exposure," Clarke said. "We ask you please to not panic but to follow the science and the recommendations."
Council also got a bill that would transfer $85 million from the general fund to fight the illness.
City homeless outreach workers taking extra measures
Philadelphia's homeless outreach workers are taking extra measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the city's homeless community.
Homeless Services director Liz Hersh says her office is focused on the same thing everyone else is: Prevention.
That means bolstering supplies, such as soap and disinfectant, for shelter providers who, she says, are already in a good position to prevent the spread of illnesses.
"Everybody is very accustomed to keeping things clean and high standards of sanitation. They take that very seriously because every year we have the flu season," Hersh said.
For the unhoused, it means encouraging them to go inside.
"So they do have more access to handwashing, showers," she added.
If someone shows symptoms, they'll be tested and treated. Hersh says the office is identifying providers that can offer sites for quarantine.
Hersh stresses that homeless people are not more likely to spread the virus.
"We don't want people to be stigmatized. It's much more likely that it's going to come from a friend or family member where you're in close contact," she said.
Cancellations in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Perez issued a ruling that Catholics in the Philadelphia archdiocese are released from mandatory attendance at Sunday Mass until further notice in wake of Gov. Tom Wolf's directives to battle spread of coronavirus.
Perez will allow churches to maintain their weekend Mass schedules in the event a limited number of people wish to attend. However, he said the matter could be revisited before the weekend and further directives issued.
Father Dennis Gill, director of the archdiocesan office for divine worship, especially urged senior citizens who are at greatest risk of contracting the virus to avoid crowds, stay home and watch Sunday Mass on TV.
The Philadelphia Orchestra has announced it is canceling all eight performances through March 23. Patrons can exchange their tickets to a future performance or donate them in exchange for a tax receipt.
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KYW Newsradio's Mike DeNardo and Mark Abrams contributed to this report.
