Gov. Wolf Extends Pandemic Disaster Declaration By 90 Days

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has signed a second renewal of the disaster declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic. The 90-day renewal, signed Monday, is an extension of the declaration first signed March 6 following the announcement of the first two cases of the virus in the state.

The state has now had a total of 134,025 coronavirus cases and 7,673 deaths since the onset of the 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, according to the governor's office. "This includes expediting supply procurement and lifting certain regulations to allow for efficient and effective mitigation," the statement from Wolf's office said.

However, the extension of the declaration has previously been opposed by several Republican state lawmakers, who earlier this summer attempted to pass a law preventing further extensions.

In June, the legislature passed a resolution directing Wolf to end the COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration and lift all shutdown orders. But Wolf fired back, saying the current disaster emergency for coronavirus remains in place and is needed for various assistance programs.

The matter went in front of the state Supreme Court, which determined General Assembly can't unilaterally end Wolf's emergency declaration. Wolf later vetoed the resolution calling for an end to his disaster declaration.

Wolf's office also noted the disaster declaration allows for waivers and extensions to remain in place, including the ability to waive the one-week waiting period to receive unemployment compensation, work search requirements.

It also suspends various training requirements and certification and licensure renewals for health care professionals, child care workers, direct care workers, direct support professionals, and other professionals.

"Through the disaster declaration, PEMA has been able to mission assign the National Guard to provide various types of support for long term care facilities, including providing direct patient care support, ancillary support, and testing, and at community-based testing sites. It also provides PEMA with the ability to leverage continued federal support such as non-congregate sheltering," the governor's office said.