UPDATE: March 12, 2:59 p.m. – North Penn School District has issued the following statement:
Hello NPSD Families,
Per an order from Governor Tom Wolf, all public and non-public
Montgomery County schools including the North Penn School District are
closed for two weeks beginning tomorrow, Friday, March 13, 2020, to
help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) through significant
social distancing. All schools and offices must close as well. All
school activities, field trips, meetings and use of facilities are
canceled as of 5 p.m. today, Thursday, March 12.
These are uncharted waters for our community and nation and it is with
deep concern that we send this message. A detailed email with further
information will be sent later today and posted to the website.
We will all work together to navigate these necessary steps and return
to normal operations as soon as possible.
Thank you.
Prior update follows…
Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine this afternoon provided an update on the state’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, including one new presumptive positive case in Pike County, bringing the state’s total to 22, and guidance on how to reduce the spread of the virus.
“In Montgomery County, we are aggressively moving to a mitigation phase, and statewide we are providing guidance to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” said Gov. Wolf.
The governor provided applicable guidance to reduce the spread of the virus in the state over the next 14 days, specifically for commonwealth facilities and public buildings in Montgomery County, which with 13 cases has the most presumptive positive cases in the state.
Guidance for Montgomery County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Applicability
· The following guidance will be in place starting tomorrow, March 13, for fourteen days.
· We will evaluate our options throughout that period, and continue to communicate to you as we learn more.
Montgomery County
· A no visitor policy will be implemented for correctional facilities, nursing homes, and others to be evaluated.
· Schools in Montgomery County will be closed starting tomorrow, as will child care centers licensed by the Commonwealth.
· Adult day care centers will be closed.
· Freedom of travel will remain, but the Governor and the Commonwealth ask all people to refrain from non-essential travel.
· Essential services will be available: police, fire, and emergency medical services, essential services for vulnerable populations.
· Supermarkets, pharmacies, and gas stations will remain open. The Governor and the Commonwealth recommends that non-essential retail facilities close.
· AMTRAK will begin operating a reduced schedule and the Ardmore stop will close to AMTRAK trains for two weeks, beginning tomorrow. The Wolf Administration is also working directly with SEPTA to evaluate potential impacts and will continue to provide service updates as things evolve.
Commonwealth Employees
· The Office of Administration will provide a message to all Commonwealth employees regarding those who work or live in Montgomery County.
· This includes individuals who live in Montgomery County and work in other counties and those who live in other counties and work in Montgomery County.
· Individuals will be instructed to work from home.
· The Commonwealth is authorizing a 10 workday paid absence for individuals who don’t have telework capabilities.
· Facilities that are in Montgomery County that are Commonwealth facilities and provide essential services will remain open.
· Facilities that are administered by Montgomery County will follow the same procedures as the county.
Statewide
· The Wolf Administration strongly encourages the suspension of large gatherings, events, conferences of 250 individuals or more.
· The Wolf Administration discourages individuals from traveling to recreational activities like gyms, movie theaters and shopping malls.
· The Wolf Administration encourages religious leaders to exercise discretion in order to mitigate the spread of illness.
State correctional facilities and veterans homes have already introduced a statewide visitor ban to ensure the safety of inmates, residents, staff and visitors.
COVID-19 Case Information Update
The Department of Health advised that the state now has 22 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, including one new presumptive positive case in Pike County – an adult who is in isolation at home and who came in contact with someone from another state who tested positive for COVID-19.
State presumptive positive totals as of 2 p.m. include:
Montgomery County: 13
Bucks County: 2
Philadelphia County: 1
Monroe County: 2
Delaware County: 1
Wayne County: 1
Northampton: 1
Pike County: 1
The Department of Health stressed the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
· Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
· Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
· Clean surfaces frequently.
· If you are sick, stay home until you are feeling better.
Original story follows…
At his 2 p.m. press conference, Wolf said that the closures will begin on Friday, March 13, and extend for a period of two weeks. Additionally, officials are strongly advising against public gatherings of any kind.
This is a breaking news story from North Penn Now. We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
See also:
Nash Elementary Student Being Tested For Coronavirus, Schools To Remain Open
North Penn Outlines Measures Being Taken To Combat Coronavirus
Possible Coronavirus Exposure Prompts Statement From North Penn School District Officials
Central Bucks Closes Five Schools Due To Potential Coronavirus Exposure
Pennsylvania Department Of Health Ramping Up In Case
Coronavirus Reaches State
