County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper today issued a declaration of disaster emergency in Erie County occasioned by the current outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, effective immediately. As of today, no cases have been identified in Erie County.
The Erie County COVID-19 team holds team meetings daily at the Emergency Operations Center at the Erie County Department of Health.
Today Governor Wolf’s office ordered nonessential businesses in Pennsylvania to shut down, and Erie County is following suit.
Nonessential businesses include community and recreation centers; gyms, including yoga, barre and spin facilities; hair salons, nail salons and spas; casinos; concert venues; theaters; bars; sporting event venues and golf courses; retail facilities, including shopping malls and except for pharmacy or other health care facilities within retail operations.
All restaurants and bars are ordered to close dine-in facilities. Businesses that offer carry-out, delivery and drive-through food and beverage service may continue to do so, but eating and drinking inside restaurants and bars is temporarily prohibited.
“I understand that a temporary closure will be an impediment to our economy, but more than that, it can be devastating financially to those businesses and their employees,” Dahlkemper said. “However, it is my responsibility and priority to protect the health and safety of our residents. Taking these important steps contributes to our community mitigation attempts. In the days and weeks to come, my administration and I will work with our community partners and state and federal government to provide helpful resources for financial assistance.”
See the declaration of disaster emergency here: https://eriecountypa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Erie-County-Declaration-SIGNED_03.16.20.pdf
For more information on COVID-19, please visit this document of frequently asked questions.
