Chester County set to reopen courts, government offices this week
WEST CHESTER » Government offices and courts across Chester County will begin resuming most regular functions and be reopened to the general public beginning this week.
Twelve weeks after moving to essential services-only, county officials announced the reopening measures it will put in place, while reminding residents the doors will be open “with caution” and with some restrictions, to ensure the safety of staff and the public, as the county continues to try to control the impact of the coronavirus.
Visitors to the facilities will be required to go through a screening test for signs of the virus. Requirements for masks or protective face coverings will also be in place.
Gov. Tom Wolf said late last month that the state would lift the “red zone” restrictions that the county and its southeastern Pennsylvania neighbors had been under since he issued a “stay at home” order on April 1 to mitigate the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak. The county is expected to move to the “yellow zone” phase of the state’s plan.
On Tuesday morning, all county courts and court-related staff will return to work as court functions of the Common Pleas and Magisterial District courts will be restored. Jury trials are currently planned to resume in August.
All county government staff that are not able to work from home to provide county programs and services, will return to work Friday. All staff who can work from home will continue to do so.
In a press release announcing the moves, county Commissioners’ Chairwoman Marian Moskowitz said the county “could do this quickly and confidently because of our Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan. We were prepared for a time such as this – although we never imagined a time such as this.
“In anticipation of this start to re-open, we have put many safety measures in place to control the spread of COVID-19, so that we don’t have to go back to a time such as this,” Moskowitz said.
As of Saturday, the county Health Department had recorded 2,708 positive tests for the virus, out of 15,231 tests reported to the department. The county lists 251 deaths attributed to COVID-19, although the state lists 280 deaths or 53.6 per 100,000 residents.
The number of new positive cases in the county continues to rise and fall. One week ago, on May 25, the county reported nine new cases, then 65 the following day, 41 the next and 21 the next. On Friday, May 29, there were 10 positive cases recorded.
The county remains at the low end of the spectrum for positive coronavirus cases recorded in the four suburban counties surrounding Philadelphia: Bucks County showed 5,050 on Saturday, while Delaware County had 6,420 and Montgomery County had 7,006.
In the county’s press release, Commissioner Josh Maxwell pointed to the investment in technology, combined with the commitment of staff, that allowed the county to continue to provide many programs and services during the stay at home phase and mission essential designation, which began March 13, when the county’s first recorded positive test was announced.
“During the past 12 weeks, the hard work and dedication of county staff meant that we went beyond ‘essential services-only’, offering nearly 60 percent of programs and services remotely for our citizens,” Maxwell said. “I thank all of our staff for doing everything they could during this time to serve residents, businesses, non-profits and many vulnerable people in their time of need.”
With the county’s own Health Department and Department of Emergency Services to guide them, county senior staff have invested in hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment and developed procedures to start the yellow phase with necessary precautions. New procedures include screening everyone who enters a county building, wearing masks and practicing social distancing, and maintaining hygiene and cleaning procedures.
The county is expected to apply for reimbursement for those costs through the state’s $4.9 billion fund from federal discretionary money set up to address the impact of the virus. The state has already designed $1 billion to be sent to its largest counties, of which the county ranks seventh.
Additional mitigation strategies are currently being reviewed and refined by county departments, including appointment-only access by the public, secure drop boxes and transitioning to virtual interactions.
“The safety measures we have put in place will help protect our staff, as well as the public, as we begin to offer more in-person services,” said county Commissioner Michelle Kichline. “But the safety measures inevitably will mean some delays in entering county buildings and booking times to meet with department staff. We thank everyone in advance for their patience and understanding as we transition into the yellow.”
Details of the limited in-person and online programs and services for Chester County residents will be available from Friday on the county’s website, chesco. org. More specific information on individual department services available during the yellow phase will be posted on department-specific web pages on chesco.org. Residents needing to interact in-person with county departments are encouraged to call ahead or visit the website for details and understand requirements prior to coming to a county facility.
Some buildings, however, will remain closed to the public for the moment. The county is awaiting guidance on the reopening of the Chester County Library in Exton and the Henrietta Hankin Library in Chester Springs. The library system is working on its reopen plans and details will be announced in the coming days.
The Chester County Conservation District is also reopening to public access on Friday, and anyone requiring this service should call ahead.
The state’s “yellow zone” designation means more businesses and entities can reopen, but not all. The “stay at home” orders will be lifted, but precautions including social distancing and wearing a mask are still recommended.
Businesses can reopen in person but must follow safety procedures. Employees should telework when possible. In-person retail is allowed, but curbside pickup or delivery is preferred. Outdoor dining is allowed at restaurants, provided they comply with state regulations on service and customer limits.
Hairdressers, nail salons and massage therapists must remain closed, as will gyms, theaters, casinos, and entertainment venues. Large gatherings remain prohibited, but ones under 25 are allowed. Child care, including summer camps, may reopen with a written plan for worker and client safety. Youth, club and recreational team sports remain prohibited.
Professional sports teams can begin practicing and holding games again, though a reopening plan must be submitted to and approved by the state.