Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

COVID-19 Resources from PALawHelp.org

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Below is information from various sources compiled by Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network regarding the evolving situation surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Pennsylvania:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information:

Legal Aid:

Most program offices in the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) have stopped accepting walk-in clients pending the current COVID-19 crisis.

You can apply for legal aid by telephone or online through the program serving your county. You can locate your local legal aid office using the PLAN Program Provider list at https://palegalaid.net/legal-aid-providers-in-pa. Online applications, where available, can be made through the individual program websites.

Government/Closures:

Coronavirus in Pennsylvania

08/31/21 - Wolf Administration Requires Masking in Schools, Early Learning and Child Care Settings to Keep Students Safely in Classrooms and Delta Variant Out
The Secretary of Health Order applies to everyone indoors at K-12 public schools including brick and mortar and cyber charter schools, private and parochial schools, career and technical centers (CTCs), and intermediate units (IUs). The order also applies to early learning programs and child care providers for children ages 2 and older, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
05/04/21 - Wolf Administration To Lift Mitigation Orders On Memorial Day, Masking Order Once 70% Of Pennsylvania Adults Fully Vaccinated
The Wolf administration, in coordination with the COVID-19 Vaccine Joint Task Force, announced today that mitigation orders except masking will be lifted on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31 at 12:01 AM. The current order requiring Pennsylvanians to wear masks will be lifted when 70% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
03/01/21 - Gov. Wolf Revises Mitigation Order On Gatherings And Lifts Out-Of-State Travel Restrictions
The revised mitigations restrictions announced today include:
- Revised maximum occupancy limits for indoor events to allow for 15% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size.
- Revised maximum occupancy limits for outdoor events to allow for 20% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size.
- Eliminate out-of-state travel restrictions.
02/19/21 - Governor Wolf Signs Fourth Renewal of COVID-19 Disaster Declaration to Aid in Response and Recovery
Governor Tom Wolf signed a fourth renewal of his 90-day Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. The first proclamation was signed on March 6, following the announcement of the first two presumptive positive cases of the virus in Pennsylvania. The emergency disaster declaration provides for increased support to state agencies involved in the continued response to the virus and recovery for the state during reopening. This includes expediting supply procurement and lifting certain regulations to allow for efficient and effective mitigation.
12/10/20 - Gov. Wolf, Sec. Of Health Announce New Protective Mitigation Efforts To Put Pennsylvania On Pause Through Early January
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today implored Pennsylvanians to take the next three weeks and stand united against the virus by adhering to existing mitigation orders and stricter efforts announced today. The new, limited-time mitigation orders take effect at 12:01 a.m. on December 12, and remain in effect until 8 a.m. on January 4, 2021.
12/3/20 - Pennsylvania Capitol Complex Will Close To Public Due To Rising COVID-19 Cases - With the surge in COVID-19 cases continuing, starting Monday, Dec. 7, the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex will close to the public until further notice. All operations of the Governor's Office and General Assembly will continue, but access to the Capitol Complex will be limited to employees and people with badge keycard credentials.
11/25/20 - Governor Wolf Signs Renewal to COVID-19 Disaster Declaration - Governor Tom Wolf has signed a third renewal of his 90-day Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency disaster declaration provides for increased support to state agencies involved in the continued response to the virus and recovery for the state during reopening. The new emergency disaster declaration will now go through the end of February, unless Gov. Wolf decides to end it sooner.
11/23/20 - As COVID-19 Cases Reach Critical Levels, Wolf Admin Announces New Mitigation Efforts - With new modeling projecting 22,000 new COVID-19 cases per day in Pennsylvania in December, Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced new targeted mitigation measures to help stop the spread during this critical time. These include a robust enforcement plan targeted at chronic violators along with an effort to ensure schools are safe and in compliance with COVID safety plans. The administration is also encouraging Pennsylvanians to limit unnecessary travel and stay at home.
11/18/20 - Allegheny County COVID-19 Related Stay-at-Home to Stop Social Gatherings Advisory - Beginning immediately, Allegheny County residents are asked to stay at home to stop social gatherings to stem the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the county. Residents are advised to only leave home to go to work or school, for essential needs such as seeking medical care, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, getting food, or the like.
11/17/20 - Wolf Administration COVID-19 Announcements: Protecting The Health Care System, New Traveler Testing Order, Strengthened Masking Order, Recommendations For Colleges And Universities - As Pennsylvania experiences a resurgence of COVID-19 cases with significantly higher daily case counts than in the spring and hospitalizations on the rise, the Wolf Administration has identified four new mitigation efforts, which Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced today.
Secretary's Order-Masks Secretary's Order-Travel
11/16/20 - Philadelphia announces new “Safer at Home” restrictions to fight rising COVID-19 cases - In response to rising COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia, new “Safer at Home” restrictions are effective November 20, 2020 through January 1, 2021.
Reopening Pennsylvania - As of July 3, all counties are in the green phase of reopening. Follow the link to find out what that means.
Mask Up, PA! - In Pennsylvania, masks must be worn whenever anyone leaves home. Follow the link for details on mask usage and what masks do and don't do. Also to Mask FAQs for Businesses.
Information and Resources for Individuals - Follow the link on Travel information, Unemployment Compensation and other types of financial and personal help available.
Information and Resources for Businesses - Follow the link for COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses and other resources that are available for businesses.

COVID Alert PA App - COVID Alert PA is the official mobile app by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) that uses the Exposure Notification System (ENS) provided by Apple and Google. Information and download instructions at the link.
Additional News:

Pennsylvania Courts:

Cessation of Statewide Judicial Emergency After June 1, 2020

By Order issued May 27, 2020, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania directed that the general, statewide judicial emergency declared and maintained via this Court's prior Orders SHALL CEASE as of June 1, 2020. The previous Orders SHALL EXPIRE according to their own terms.

Administrative orders issued by intermediate appellate courts and local courts to declare local emergencies and any emergency orders or directives issued REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT until they expire or are rescinded, and President Judges in those judicial districts may continue to exercise emergency powers. Full details are in the Supreme Court Order.

Landlord-Tenant - Center for Disease Control Order

On September 4, 2020 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an Order under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act to temporarily halt residential evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. This Order is effective from the date it was published through December 31, 2020. This order has been extended through March 31, 2021.

Under this Order, a landlord, owner of a residential property, or other person with a legal right to pursue eviction or possessory action, shall not evict any covered person from any residential property in any jurisdiction to which this Order applies during the effective period of the Order.

Tenants, lessees, or residents of residential properties who are covered by the CDC’s order temporarily halting residential evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, as well as each adult listed on the lease, rental agreement or housing contract, must provide a signed Declaration Form to their landlord, owner of the residential property where they live, or other person who has a right to have them evicted or removed from where they live. For legal assistance in an eviction action contact your Local Legal Aid Office.

Federal Legislation

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

President Donald Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on March 18, 2020.

The federal paid sick leave and federal expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19 that were authorized as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) expired on December 31, 2020. If you need to miss work because of COVID-19, you should talk with your employer about paid time off or unpaid leave.

Federal CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted on March 27, 2020. The law provides roughly $2 Trillion in relief and economic stimulus funds to provide relief for individuals and businesses facing hardships due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The law provides relief in a variety of forms including direct payments to taxpayers; increased access to greater amounts of unemployment compensation benefits; increased funding for food security programs; increased funding to health systems; financial assistance through loans and grants to business enterprises and funding to support education including loan relief.

In December 2020, Congress passed and the President signed the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020 (CAA). This legislation extends the UC programs created by the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) into 2021.

Employees - Unemployment Compensation/Workers Compensation:

Important Updates related to COVID-19 - PUA and PEUC Updates (January 23, 2021)
Information for Pennsylvania Employees Impacted by COVID-19 (PA Department of Labor & Industry)
Unemployment Compensation and COVID-19 (Philadelphia Legal Assistance)
COVID-19 - OSHA Safety Standards and Directives

Food Insecurity and Help/Meals:

How to Access Emergency Food Assistance During COVID-19 Mitigation (PA Dept. of Agriculture)
Wolf Administration Directs Families to Emergency Food Assistance During COVID-19 Mitigation. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding issued guidance for accessing emergency food assistance for Pennsylvanians at risk of hunger due to measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.
School Meals: Pennsylvania sought and received approval from the Federal government to allow schools the option to distribute meals at no cost while schools are closed. More information on Meals for Children.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Pennsylvanians are encouraged to use DHS’ online applications and resources at http://www.compass.state.pa.us/ to apply for benefits.

Medical Insurance, Medical Assistance and Prescription Drug Information:

Schools/Education:

Social Security Administration:

Social Security & Coronavirus Disease

Taxes

Utility Terminations:

PUC Enhances Utility Protections for Families & Businesses Struggling with Financial Impact of COVID-19 - Although the utility termination moratorium was lifted, utilities shall not terminate service for residential customers with incomes within 300% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG), unless otherwise authorized by the Commission. These “protected customers” must apply for all available assistance programs and must request a payment arrangement from the utility, if appropriate.
PUC Ratifies Recent Emergency Orders Taken to Prevent Utility Service Interruptions, Enhance Public Health & Safety During COVID-19 Pandemic
Public Utility Commission Press Release: PUC Prohibits Utility Terminations, Consistent with Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency
Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association Guidance to Municipal Authorities During COVID-19 Pandemic

Consumer Protection/Scams:

Coronavirus Scams (Federal Trade Commission)
PA Attorney General: AG Shapiro Creates Consumer Tool to Combat Coronavirus Price Gouging
U.S. Department of Justice - COVID-19 Fraud
Community Preparedness and Procedures Materials - a library of free outreach materials for businesses, organizations and anyone interested in displaying important messaging on COVID-19.