Governor Wolf’s idea of reopening PA has sparked a debate around Pennsylvania on the effectiveness of his reopening strategy. Some believe it is a great strategy to help ease PA back to functioning as normal. Some say that it is too strict of a plan and some things need to be changed.

Here is his proposal. Governor Wolf believes we should open PA county by county to slowly integrate us back into normal society. There will be three phases to his plan, the red phase, the yellow phase, and the green phase. These phases act similar to a traffic light, where red will have more things shut down and stopped, yellow will have some restrictions on top of the CDC’s restrictions, and the green phase will have everything according to the CDC guidelines. Currently, Lawrence county is in the green phase. All nearby counties are also in the green phase. Every county in PA is out of the red phase. Here is the plan more in-depth:

Red Phase business restrictions: Life-sustaining businesses only, congregate care and prison restrictions in place, in-person schools, and most child care facilities are closed. Social restrictions: Stay at home orders in place, large gatherings PROHIBITED, restaurants and bars are limited to only carry-out and delivery, travel should only be for life-sustaining purposes.

Yellow phase business restrictions: Telework must continue where feasible, businesses with in-person operations must follow business and building safety guidelines, child care open complying with guidance, congregate care and prison restrictions in place, and schools remain closed fr in-person instruction. Social Restrictions: Stay at Home Order Lifted for Aggressive Mitigation, In-Person Retail Allowable, Curbside and Delivery Preferable, Indoor Recreation, Health, and Wellness Facilities and Personal Care Services (such as gyms, spas, hair salons, nail salons and other entities that provide massage therapy), and all Entertainment (such as casinos, theaters) Remain Closed, Restaurants and Bars Limited to Carry-Out and Delivery Only.

Green phase business restriction: All Businesses Must Follow the CDC and PA Department of Health Guidelines. Social Restrictions: Aggressive Mitigation Lifted, All Individuals Must Follow CDC and PA Department of Health Guidelines.

If you wish to learn more about Governor Wolf’s idea on reopening Pennsylvania, please visit https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/

If you wish to see the CDC’s precautions and guidelines, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

If you wish to see  the World Health Organizations recommendations, please visit https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1

Here is an article on current cases of Sars Cov 2 (COVID 19 Coronavirus): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html