Gov. Wolf Extends COVID-19 Disaster Declaration For 5th Time

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday signed a renewal of the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the fifth renewal of the disaster emergency. The first proclamation was signed on March 6, 2020.

Wolf said while the state is making "significant progress" in the fight against COVID-19 "we need just a little more time under this current disaster declaration to ensure that we do not risk valuable resources that will help Pennsylvania recover from the pandemic."

Wolf, in a statement announcing the renewal, confirmed all mitigation measures would be lifted on Memorial Day.

On Tuesday, voters approved two constitutional amendments that would limit the governor's emergency powers. The vote has yet to be certified by the state, however. Once the amendments are in place, the governor would need approval from the legislature to extend any public emergency beyond 21 days.

Wolf said extending the declaration allows more medical professionals to administer vaccines, ensures families harmed financially by the pandemic have access to healthy food through SNAP benefits and ensures Pennsylvania counties and businesses remain eligible for federal disaster recovery dollars.

“We will continue to monitor vaccination rates and adjust mitigation orders accordingly. I have been in touch with the General Assembly regarding this extension, and we will continue to collaborate on the future of this disaster declaration and any future declarations that become necessary to help Pennsylvanians in the midst of an emergency," he said in the statement.

The renewed 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, among other things, the governor said.