Allegheny prepares for yellow status

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Allegheny County leaders are preparing business owners and employees for the yellow phase of reopening on Friday.

“We have been successful in our efforts to date because we are all working together, and we need to continue to do so,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “Businesses that will now be conducting in-person operations need to ensure that they’re following all of the guidance from the state, but — just as importantly — they need to do that in conjunction with the businesses that they share office space or a building with to ensure that we’re all doing our part to physically distance.”

The guidance from the Department of Health states all businesses that have conducted operations remotely by having employees work from home must continue their telework operations.

In the yellow phase, businesses that have to conduct in-person operations because their employees can’t work from home have to follow DOH guidance.

That guidance includes:

• Disinfect high-touch areas frequently and regularly clean all other areas of the building.

• Establish and implement a plan in case the business is exposed to a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19.

• Prevent large groups from entering or leaving the building by staggering work start and stop times.

• Limit the number of people in common areas, like locker or break rooms, and ensure these areas are cleaned frequently.

• Conduct meetings virtually. If a meeting must be in person, limit the number of employees to 10 and maintain a physical distance of 6 feet.

• Make sure employees have access to soap and water to wash hands, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.

• Provide non-medical masks for employees to wear at all times and make it mandatory to wear masks while on the work site while working in the same area as others. 

• Make sure the facility has enough employees as applicable to follow these protocols and conduct business effectively and safely.

• Discourage non-essential visitors from entering the business premises.

• Communicate these procedures to all employees.

Dr. Debra L. Bogen, director of the Allegheny County Health Department, cautioned that if people do not follow the guidelines and there is a substantial spike in cases, additional restrictions could be imposed on Allegheny County.

“We don’t know how the move to yellow will impact our cases, but the Health Department is prepared to respond to whatever may happen,” said Bogen. “Most importantly, we need to keep up the good work. If you’re sick, stay home. If you have symptoms, call your primary care physician or the department’s COVID-19 Hotline. If you do go out, wear a mask and stay at least 6 feet away from others.”

Congressman Mike Doyle said the move to yellow doesn’t return everyone to work, and small businesses, in particular, remain impacted.

Doyle said he’s been working with his colleagues to ensure small businesses and families have the resources they need until the economy is safely reopened and everyone is back to work.

“That means providing more aid to households, businesses and state and local governments as we move cautiously from red to yellow to green — and it means making sure that this aid gets to its intended recipients quickly,” Doyle said. 

The Allegheny Conference on Community Development has focused on supporting businesses during the pandemic by providing ongoing, up-to-date information about the resources available, including where to get assistance and where to give assistance. 

As part of that effort, the Conference’s Chief Executive Officer Stefani Pashman announced the launch of a new resource at readypittsburgh.com; a curated toolbox offering advice, direction, guidance and practices on how to reopen and remain open while keeping employees and customers safe.

“We’ve been able to flatten the curve because of the commitment of our people,” Pashman said. “This new resource allows us to continue supporting the efforts of our business community to open the economy in a thoughtful and phased way that also prioritizes public health.”

Additional guidelines from the DOH address protecting employees who serve the public. 

Those precautions include: 

• Conduct business with the public by appointment only whenever possible.

• Install shields, barriers or take other measures at check-out areas to separate cashiers and customers.

• Schedule handwashing breaks for employees at least every hour.

Cases

There have now been 57,991 cases of coronavirus in the state, including 837 new cases since Monday. There were 75 new deaths reported, for a total of 3,806.

Allegheny County now has 1,526 cases, an increase of 15 patients. There four new deaths reported for a new total of 127.

In Fayette County, there have been no new cases or new deaths reported since Sunday, those totals remain at 85 and four respectively.

Washington County saw two new cases and no new deaths, bringing those totals to 126 and four respectively.

Westmoreland County added one new case since Monday for a total of 419 and according to the DOH, there have been no new deaths since the weekend and that total is 30. Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha also reports no additional deaths, and the total he is tracking remains at 32.