PA Gov. Renews COVID-19 Disaster Declaration For 3rd Time

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has signed a third renewal of a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. The 90-day proclamation was renewed as the state and nation faces a surge of cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

The first proclamation was signed on March 6, following the announcement of the first two presumptive positive cases of the virus.

“This renewal will allow the commonwealth to maintain its response and support efforts as we face increasing case numbers and decreasing hospital capacity," Wolf said.

According to information from the governor's office, 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 lifting certain regulations.

Wolf cited several programs and services that have been made available due to the disaster declaration, including the ability to waive the one-week waiting period to receive unemployment compensation. He also noted it allows Pennsylvania to suspend certain training requirements and certification and licensure renewals for health care professionals, child care workers, direct care workers, direct support professionals.

The disaster declaration has also enabled PEMA to assign the National Guard to provide various types of support for long term care facilities, Wolf said.

"The renewed disaster declaration will continue to support all of these efforts, as well as allow the commonwealth to rapidly scale response efforts and employ new intervention tactics, such as the administration of a vaccine," the governor said in a statement.

The news comes as 6,759 additional positive cases of COVID-19 were reported Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to 327,829. Pennsylvania on Wednesday surpassed 10,000 coronavirus-related deaths.