Clinton County Gets Good ‘Green’ News

 

LOCK HAVEN – Word has been relayed to Clinton County that the county will be part of an escalation to the “green” phase as of Friday, June 5.

The commissioners provided this information Friday afternoon:

 

The Clinton County Commissioners have received the much anticipated call from the Governor’s office that Clinton County is advised to move into the “green phase” of re-opening on June 5, 2020. 

Commissioner Miles Kessinger received the call early Friday morning from the Governor’s field representative, Catherine Stetler. “It’s the call we’ve been waiting for. Now our small businesses and community can start the process of economic recovery” said Kessinger. 

“It’s good to know that our hard work and continued communication has paid off,” said Commissioner Jeff Snyder. Through the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) Snyder, who is the president of that organization, has been working with colleagues to have direct communication with the Governor and give counties a voice in the decisions being made. 

Commissioner Angela Harding echoed the sentiments of her fellow commissioners by adding “We need to do this right. We are very happy that our businesses can increase operations and that our community can begin rebuilding. With that said, we need to continue to protect each other and our most vulnerable community members. The virus still exists and going green does not eliminate the risk.” 

Incoming Clinton County Department of Emergency Services Director, Andrew Kremser also stressed the importance of remaining vigilant in social distancing, washing hands, and continuing to follow the Department of Health and Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. “Our first responders deserve an effort from our community to continue to protect each other and our front line.” 

In a Friday news release, the Commissioners urged community members to continue to support local, county businesses at a level that they are comfortable. The Commissioners are confident that our business community can and will find a way to safely operate and we as a community need to continue to support them. 

The Commissioners said they will be working throughout next week to establish the process and policy for county buildings and departments transitioning from yellow to green and what that means for operations and county visitors. 

As of now, the release said, the Clinton County Court system will continue to operate a full schedule through online platforms and no contact proceedings through June 21.  

Below are many of the Green Phase guidelines from the Governor’s office. The Clinton County Commissioners urge the community and businesses to adhere to the order and visit the governor’s website to get more information. 

Green Phase Order The order from Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine include these provisions: 

• Suspends all previous stay-at-home orders and replaces them with the new green phase order. The order includes provisions for businesses that were permitted to conduct in-person operations in the yellow phase, those permitted to operate with some restrictions on in-person operations and those that were not permitted any in-person operations under the yellow phase. 

• The order also includes guidance on occupancy limits and health and safety orders that business must adhere to under the green phase. 

• Specifics are included on those areas that have raised questions from business owners and residents, including: 

• Personal care services, including hair salons and barber shops must operate by appointment only; appointments or reservations are also strongly encouraged for gyms or spas. 

• Any gathering for a planned or spontaneous event of greater than 250 individuals is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, a concert, festival, fair, conference, sporting event, movie showing, or theater performance. 

• Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and other places of congregate worship are specifically excluded from the limitations established by the order. These institutions are strongly encouraged to enforce social distancing and other mitigation measures such as masking at their gatherings. 

• Visitation to prisons and hospitals may resume subject to the discretion of the facility. Visitors who interact with residents and patients must be diligent regarding hygiene. Given the critical importance of limiting COVID-19 exposure in nursing homes, nursing home visitation restrictions will initially remain 

Work and congregate setting restrictions 

• Continued telework strongly encouraged 

• Businesses with in-person operations must follow updated business and building safety requirements 

• All businesses operating at 50% occupancy in the yellow phase may increase to 75% occupancy 

• Child care may open complying with guidance 

• Congregate care restrictions in place 

• Prison and hospital restrictions determined by individual facilities 

• Schools subject to CDC and commonwealth guidance 

Green Phase Dining Retail food service businesses, including restaurants, and bars located in counties designated as being in the green phase are permitted to provide take-out and delivery sales, as well as dine-in service in both indoor and outdoor seating areas, so long as they strictly adhere to the requirements of the guidance, including maximum occupancy limits: 

· Bar seating may be utilized if customers are seated and comply with physical distancing guideline of at least 6 feet or physical barriers between customers. Standing in a bar area will not be permitted. 

· A maximum of four customers that have a common relationship may sit together at the bar, while adhering to the physical distancing guidelines or barriers between other customers. 

Social Restrictions 

• Any gathering for a planned or spontaneous event of greater than 250 individuals is prohibited. 

• Places of worship are excluded from the limitations that are established by the order, but are encouraged to enforce social distancing and other measures such as wearing masks. 

• Restaurants and bars open at 50% occupancy 

• Personal care services (including hair salons and barber shops) open at 50% occupancy and by appointment only 

• Indoor recreation, health and wellness facilities, and personal care services (such as gyms and spas) open at 50% occupancy with appointments strongly encouraged 

• All entertainment (such as casinos, theaters and shopping malls) open at 50% occupancy 

• Construction activity may return to full capacity with continued implementation of protocols 

• All businesses must follow CDC and DOH (Department of Health) guidance for social distancing and cleaning 

• Monitor public health indicators, adjust orders and restrictions as necessary 

• Personal responsibilities: use good judgement, wear masks around others, continue social distancing, use good health habits