Expect A 'New Normal' For Doylestown, Mayor Says

DOYLESTOWN, PA — A successful reopening of Doylestown Borough depends on containing the virus, Mayor Ron Strouse said in a letter to the community shared Tuesday.

"For me, it is clear that to be successful in making our community feel safe and be safe for residents and visitors alike, a return to economic and social activity needs to be accompanied by social distancing practices that, while voluntary, are practiced by everyone — residents, restaurants, and shopkeepers alike. That is not easy and it is not being totally practiced even now. We cannot expect people to come to Doylestown if they don't see us engaged in a safe environment," Strouse wrote.

He also said the community faces a "very uncertain economic future," as it continues to navigate through the coronavirus crisis that has shut local businesses and restaurants since mid-March.

You can read the full letter here:

There currently is no timeline for the reopening of Bucks County.

County leaders met virtually with state Health Secretary Rachel Levine and staff from the governor's office over the weekend in a push to have coronavirus-related distancing measured relaxed soon.

During the meeting, the commissioners and county health and safety officials argued that Bucks County should be moved into the yellow reopening phase of Wolf's statewide plan before his most recent stay-at-home order expires on June 4.

However, in a news conference Monday, the governor said he will only be easing mitigation measures when the data shows it is safe to do so.

Some counties have said they'll direct businesses to reopen before the governor deems them in the "yellow" phase of mitigation. Wolf cautioned against that, saying there would be consequences for those who prematurely reopen.