Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: Gov. Tom Wolf And Other Northeastern Governors Are Creating A Plan To Reopen The Region
NEW YORK (KDKA/AP) - A group of northeastern governors, including Gov. Tom Wolf, are working on creating a plan to reopen the area.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he will start looking at plans for reopening the northeastern region along with Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, Delaware Gov. John Carney and Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo.
Gov. Cuomo opened an afternoon press conference by saying he believes New York has hit a plateau in COVID-19 cases and it's time to look at the process of reopening the area.
The six northeastern states will each have a health expert, an economic development expert and the chief of staff looking at ways to reopen the region without igniting another outbreak.
CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: Gov. Tom Wolf Orders All Pennsylvanians To Stay At Home
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- Coronavirus In Pittsburgh: Two Cases Of Coronavirus Confirmed In City Of Pittsburgh
- Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: State's First Coronavirus-Related Death Confirmed
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"I agree with my partners that we have to do this right," said Gov. Wolf on a conference call. He says he wants to work on getting people healthy before getting the economy healthy. He says the governors need a "specific and smart" plan for reopening the area and that's what the group will start working on.
"Our highest priority remains protecting the health and safety of Pennsylvanians," said Gov. Wolf in a press release.
"While my administration continues to take critical steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, I also recognize that we must look ahead and take a measured, careful approach to prepare for the future while ensuring that we don't undo all of our efforts."
Gov. Cuomo says there is no timetable, but the group will start talking literally tomorrow. He says he wants it done ASAP but he wants to be smart about.
A press release says the council will create "framework" for easing restrictions without "triggering a renewed spread."
On Monday, Gov. Wolf said residents are in a painful phase, continuing to bend the curve of coronavirus cases while the economy, he said, is suffering.
The Governor maintains social distancing must continue to keep the healthcare system from being overwhelmed and goals must be reached before things can get back to normal.
"We want to see a drop in the number of new cases, we want to see sustained increase in the materials healthcare workers need to fight diseases like this," said Wolf.
WATCH: KDKA's Pam Surano Reports Live
Meanwhile, two bills are being introduced in the state House on Tuesday to try and get Pennsylvanians working again.
The Republican legislators introducing those bills say if people don't get back to work soon, there will be no economy left.
"We have the highest number of claims in the entire United States," said Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai.
Speaking to KDKA reporter Jon Delano, Turzai said Pennsylvania has the most restrictive orders in the country.
"It didn't adhere to what we would typically think of, what we refer to as rule of law or due process," Turzai told KDKA.
Turzai said the bills would mandate businesses and industry to follow health and safety guidelines in order to reopen.
Pennsylvania House Democrats say it's too risky to get back to work just yet.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health says social distancing in the state is working. While the COVID-19 case count continues to grow, there isn't a doubling of cases in Pa. anymore. The health department says it's important to keep practicing social distancing.
SHUTDOWN UPHELD
The state Supreme Court on Monday upheld Wolf's decision to shutter non-life-sustaining businesses based on the state's emergency code and the governor's police powers.
A four-justice opinion said the March 19 shutdown order was tailored to the nature of the coronavirus emergency.
The majority said the political candidate, real estate agent and golf course that challenged the order were not entitled to additional review procedures.
"These procedural requirements would overwhelm an entire department of government otherwise involved with disaster mitigation," wrote Justice Christine Donohue for the majority.
Three justices said that there was reason to presume for now that Wolf's action was valid, but that a lower court should have been directed to handle challenges while the order remains in force.
More information on the Coronavirus pandemic:
- CDC Coronavirus Information
- CDC Global Map of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
- Pennsylvania Department of Health Information
- Allegheny County Health Department Information
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