Politics & Government
8 More PA Counties Slated To Move To Green Next Week
Eight more counties have been designated for the green phase next week, but Philly-area counties don't make the list.
HARRISBURG, PA — Eight more counties have been designated to move to the green phase of coronavirus mitigation next week. However, suburban Philadelphia counties are not on the list.
Counties that will move to green on June 19 include Dauphin, Franklin, Huntingdon, Luzerne, Monroe, Perry, Pike, and Schuylkill, the governor announced Friday.
All Philadelphia area counties, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery, are all still in the yellow phase. In the Southeast region, the only county slated for green at this point is Schuylkill.
Find out what's happening in Across Pennsylvaniafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
All others are meeting four out of four metrics being monitored by the state as an indicator for moving to green. The exception is Chester, which is not meeting the metric of stable or declining cases.
It is not clear when exactly the remaining counties will progress to the third and final phase.
Find out what's happening in Across Pennsylvaniafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
RELATED: Is Philly Meeting Metrics To Move To Green? See New Data Here
Gyms, salons, barbershops, theaters, malls, and more cannot open until a county is moved into the green phase.
"As counties reopen, Pennsylvania continues to see a steady decline in cases, a positive indicator that its phased, measured reopening plan is working to balance public health with economic recovery," the governor's office said in announcing the next phase of reopening for the eight counties.
As of Friday, there are 46 counties in green and 21 in yellow.
“In Pennsylvania, not only did we flatten the curve, but we are continuing to keep case counts down even as we open our commonwealth,” Gov. Wolf said. “We will continue to take a measured, phased approach to reopening that relies on science and health experts.”
Wolf has clashed with Harrisburg lawmakers this week, after both the House and the Senate approved a measure calling on the governor to rescind the disaster emergency for coronavirus. Wolf said he will not be recalling the disaster order, which he says is necessary for various programs, including a relaxation of unemployment compensation rules and school meal programs.
As of Friday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is reporting 77,999 cases of coronavirus.
There have been 6,162 total deaths from the virus, which has closed schools and many businesses since March.
RELATED: Gov. Wolf Fires Back: Closure Orders Remain In Place
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