First Quality Continues Local Production; Construction Projects Stop
LOCK HAVEN – While Clinton County remains without a state-documented case of coronavirus, state-directed mitigation steps are having an impact on the local economy.
Gov. Wolf earlier this week directed that construction projects be halted and that has brought to a stop the completion of the massive Lucky 7 Travel Plaza off Paul Mack Boulevard in Lock Haven. Project developers had hoped to have the facility open for business as soon as early April.
Mike Flanagan, chief executive officer for the Clinton County Economic Partnership, said he is not aware of any local industries shut down as a result of the governor’s edict. That means First Quality, the county’s largest employer, remains in full operation, including the production of toilet paper and paper towels at Lock Haven and adult diapers, feminine hygiene products and wipes at McElhattan.
County retail/commercial establishments, deemed “non-essential” by the governor, are closed and restaurants are either closed or relying on take-out and/or delivery service.
Word came earlier this week that Susquehanna Transit has or will lose some $973,000 in revenue because of the virtual shutdown. Hundreds of trips have been cancelled and high school bus routes are on hold, as well as university athletic trips.
“These revenue losses are not sustainable,” said Cam Kephart of Susquehanna in response to a business survey from the Economic Partnership. “We are optimistic that the schools will return to normal and we can try to recoup some of the losses of work, and have revenue for all.”
The local hotel business has also taken a hit. Fairfield by Marriott reports almost $60,000 in lost revenue for March, $24,165 in cancellations for April, and over $18,000 for May. The May number could go up another $12,000 because of graduation cancellations. 15 employees have been laid off.
Flanagan said, “The numbers are already staggering and the impact on the businesses and employees are obviously going to be significant as we move along. We can only hope that we get back to normal soon enough.”
Meanwhile the state reported 103 new cases of the virus as of Saturday morning, running the statewide total to 371, growth Health Secretary Rachel Levine called “exponential.” And she added, “We will have an underestimate in the number of new cases. That is true of many illnesses, particularly the flu . . . More important than the specific accuracy of the numbers is trying to prevent its spread.”
While Clinton County has no reportable cases of the virus, the first such cases were reported Friday in Centre and Potter counties and Montour County reported its first case Saturday.
Pennsylvania is reported looking at a “shelter-in-place” order similar as those in California and Illinois, but no decision has been made to this point, Levine said.
The state Saturday posted this statewide update:
STATEWIDE MITIGATION
The entire commonwealth is now under statewide COVID-19 mitigation. Here is what statewide mitigation means.
General Guidance
• Freedom of travel will remain, but all Pennsylvanians are asked to refrain from non-essential travel.
• The Wolf Administration strongly encourages the suspension of large gatherings, events, conferences of more than 10 people, and per White House guidelines, ask that individuals and groups cancel any gatherings planned over the next eight weeks.
• The Wolf Administration encourages religious leaders to exercise discretion in order to mitigate the spread of illness.
Businesses
• Governor Tom Wolf ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania to close their physical locations as of 8 p.m. March 19, 2020 to slow the spread of COVID-19. Enforcement actions against businesses that do not close physical locations will begin Monday, March 23, at 8:00 AM.
• The governor also required restaurants and bars to stop all dine-in services. Enforcement for establishments with a liquor license began at 8 p.m. March 18, and enforcement for all other food establishments will begin at 8 p.m. March 19. Food establishments can offer carry-out, delivery, and drive-through food and beverage service, including alcohol.
Schools
• Governor Tom Wolf announced on March 13 that all K-12 Pennsylvania schools will be closed for 10 business days effective Monday, March 16.
Care Facilities
• Restricted visitors in state centers to ensure health and safety for individuals with an intellectual disability.
• Restricted visitors in assisted living and personal care homes to minimize exposure to our seniors and individuals with disabilities.
• All child care centers licensed by the commonwealth close as of Tuesday, March 17 and will be re-evaluated at the conclusion of the 14-day statewide closures. Philadelphia County families should check with their child care facilities to determine status of business operations.
• Adult day care centers, adult training facilities, Provocations facilities, LIFE centers and Senior Community Centers close beginning Tuesday, March 17, and will be re-evaluated at the conclusion of the 14-day statewide closures.
Government Services
• Essential state, county, and municipal services will be open: police, fire, emergency medical services, sanitation, and essential services for vulnerable populations.
• A no-visitor policy for correctional facilities and nursing homes has been implemented and will be evaluated for other facilities.
