'Bringing Back Delco Task Force' To Ensure Safe Reopening

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — With the potential move to "yellow" under Gov. Tom Wolf's plan to reopen the state, Delaware County officials formed the Bringing Back Delco Task Force to help ensure a safe reopening amid the coronavirus.

Delaware County Council, the Delaware County Commerce Center, and the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce have joined together to convene the task force to assist business leaders both before and during the reopening.

The task force is made up of community, business and government representatives, all of which will assist and support the Delaware County business community to ensure a safe reopening of the local economy.

Members of the newly created Bringing Back Delco Task Force met virtually as a group this week to begin preparing for Delaware County moving into a yellow phase.

Last week, Wolf announced a timeline that projects a June 5 transition to the "yellow" phase for the five county region, including Delaware County

Being "yellow" means restaurants may can outdoor dining and most retail stores can open, although curbside and delivery for retail stores are preferred.

Wolf also said that based on the progress counties make to keep the spread of the coronavirus to a minimum while in the "yellow" phase, counties may move into the "green" phase as soon as the end of June.

Under the "green" phase, all businesses will be allowed to open and there are fewer restrictions on social gatherings, but all residents and businesses should still follow CDC and Health Department guidelines.

"We are very excited to see our business community get back to work," said Delaware County Councilwoman Elaine Schaefer. "It has been a long two months of hardship for almost all of our small businesses and we recognize that they are anxious to be back up and operating, and also that our residents are eager to support them. As we approach the Yellow Phase, we need to do so in a way that continues to allow for the safety and health of employees and residents."

The task force has created a website and will be offering webinars to assist business owners with safety guidelines, reopening protocols and plans, and industry-specific information. The website also includes downloadable flyers and graphics for business owners to display and share with their employees.

Additionally, the task force will hold a webinar at 2 p.m. on June 3 geared towards addressing the needs of small businesses and restaurants as they open up and detail how local government can assist these businesses to make the transition safe and successful.

A helpline has also been set up for business owners and managers who have questions and need help navigating the CDC and state guidelines and who may need support interpreting the guidance. Businesses can call the helpline at 610-565-3677.

Plans are underway for an online small business support store to help businesses procure the supplies they will likely need to reopen safely, many of which are in short supply.

Items available will include hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, gloves, masks, six-foot floor markers, and Plexiglas barriers for counters. These items will be available at a discounted price and orders can be placed on the website, and picked up at a central storage location.

"Once again, Government, civic, business, labor and nonprofit leaders have united to ensure Delco remains strong." said Patrick Killian, Director of the Delaware County Commerce Center. "We are proud to be a part of that effort."

The Task Force will regularly convene to address the concerns of the community, coordinate, and share best practices that are proven to be successful and distribute information that is needed for an effective and safe transition.

Members of the Task Force include:

• Elaine Schaefer, Delaware County Council
• Brian Zidek, Delaware County Council
• Kevin Madden, Delaware County Council
• Monica Taylor, Delaware County Council
• Christine Reuther, Delaware County Council
• Trish McFarland, Delaware County Chamber of Commerce
• Patrick Killian, Delaware County Commerce Center
• Laura Goodrich Cairns, Delaware County Commerce Center
• Steve Byrne, Visit Delco, PA
• State Senator Tim Kearney
• State Senator Tom Killion
• State Senator Anthony Williams
• Jack Stollsteimer, Delaware County District Attorney
• Marianne Grace, Delaware County Executive Administrative Director
• Sam Haber, Delaware County Planning Department
• Maria Edelberg, Delaware County Intermediate Unit
• Frances Sheehan, The Foundation for Delaware County
• Amanda Serock, Concord Township
• Dr. Maureen Reusche, Havorford School District
• Mike Ranck, Community YMCA of Easter Delaware County
• James Harper, Laborers' International Union of North America, Local 413
• Chris Kovolski, Villanova University
• George Piasecki, AFL-CIO
• Mike Corrigan, Boeing
• Adam Gattuso, Monroe Energy
• Chris Todd, Christopher's A Neighborhood Place, Wayne Business Association
• Tom McCormack, C&M Sports
• Pamela McCormick, SEPTA

"Collaboration is critical as our community begins to transition into this next phase," said Trish McFarland, President of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. "The Chamber has been listening to our members to identify their needs and working with business representatives from across the state to understand what has worked and what hasn’t worked in their transitions to the yellow phase. This type of collaboration in our county will help to streamline this process and ensure that we are assisting and protecting the businesses, their employees and the public as we begin to rebuild our economy."