Gov. Wolf Unveils 3-Phased, Color-Coded Reopening Plan By Region

HARRISBURG, PA — More details on how Pennsylvania will move forward with a staged reopening were offered in a Wednesday evening news conference during which Gov. Tom Wolf explained a color-coded system that will delineate the operating status of each region during the coronavirus pandemic.

Pennsylvania will categorize its reopening into three phases: red, yellow, and green, the governor explained. Each region will be assigned a color, which will determine what mitigation measures previously set to stop the spread of the virus can be lifted, if any.

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The governor said he plans to analyze the north-central and northwest regions first, with a target of moving from them from red to yellow on May 8.

The red phase, which encompasses the entire state as of Thursday, is fully focused on minimizing the spread of COVID-19 through strict social distancing and non-life sustaining business and school closures.

In the red phase, stay-at-home orders remain in place, large gatherings are banned, restaurants are limited to serving carry out or delivery, and only essential travel is permitted. Only life-sustaining businesses are open, schools are closed, and there are restrictions in place at congregate care facilities and prisons.

The next phase is yellow. In the yellow phase, some restrictions on work and social interaction remain but others are lifted.

"The purpose of this phase is to begin to power back up the economy while keeping a close eye on the public health data to ensure the spread of disease remains contained to the greatest extent possible," according to the governor's plan.

In the yellow phase, stay-at-home orders will be lifted but large gatherings of 25 or more people will be prohibited. Retail stores may reopen but with curbside and delivery the preferred method of operation. Gyms, spas, and entertainment venues like theaters and casinos will remain closed in the yellow phase. Restaurants will still be limited to carry out or delivery.

Child care centers will reopen in the yellow phase with safety orders and telework must continue whenever possible. Congregate care and prison restrictions will remain in place, and schools will remain closed for in-person instruction. All reopened businesses must follow CDC and Department of Health guidance for social distancing and cleaning.

The final stage is the green phase, which eases most restrictions by lifting the stay-at-home and business closure orders to allow the economy to strategically reopen "while continuing to prioritize public health," the governor's plan said.

"While this phase will facilitate a return to a 'new normal,' it will be equally important to continue to monitor public health indicators and adjust orders and restrictions as necessary to ensure the spread of disease remains at a minimum," the governor's plan said.

A timeline for the length of each phase was not provided, and will likely vary by region based on the current data.

To determine when it may be safe to move to a new phase, the state has partnered with Carnegie Mellon University to develop a data tool using Department of Health metrics.

The dashboard uses several factors to weigh the risk and benefits of reopening industries and services by region. Here's what the dashboard looks like:

A region will be deemed ready to reopen and return to work based on the incidence rate of COVID-19 cases per capita. The target goal for a reopening is an average of less than 50 cases per 100,000 people over a period of 14 days.

Here's a look at the state's health systems regions:

"The administration will work closely with county and local governments to enable the communities to reopen and transition back to work," the governor's plan said.

A reopening will also be contingent on the availability of adequate personal protective equipment and diagnostic testing, the governor said. A monitoring and surveillance program will be required during the reopening process to address any additional outbreaks on a strategic basis.

The governor said there will be the same careful and phased approach to reopening as there was with the shutdowns, which began March 16 when the restaurants in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties were ordered closed for dine-in service.

All non-life-sustaining businesses in the state were ordered closed three days later.

On March 23, stay-at-home orders were announced for Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Monroe, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Through the end of March, more than 25 counties were told to stay at home before a statewide order was announced on April 1.

Since the state's first case was reported March 6, 1,421 Pennsylvanians have died from the virus. There have been more than 36,000 confirmed cases statewide as of Thursday.

The full plan for Pennsylvania's reopening can be viewed here.

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