What going green will mean in Chester County

WEST CHESTER » Although Chester County will move into the “green” phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan this Friday, it will not usher in a return to normalcy. However, many restrictions will be lifted.

“For businesses and employers, the green phase of recovery will look similar to the yellow phase, with some relaxation of restrictions,” said Josh Maxwell, county commissioner. “Working from home, when possible, is still strongly encouraged.”

County Commissoner Michele Kichline welcomed the news.

“As COVID-19 restrictions relax during the green phase we will continue to do what Chester County does best - plan, prepare, partner and invest in the health of our residents, our businesses and our economy,” said Kichline.

In the green zone, spas, gyms, barbers, theaters, casinos, malls and similar venues can reopen at reduced capacity. Bars and restaurants may allow indoor dining, also at reduced capacity. Gatherings of up to 250 people are permitted in green zones.

Two of the key takeaways this Friday as the county goes green are that dine-in eating will now be permitted at a reduced capacity, and mask requirements will be loosened.

Here are the guidelines when the county transitions to green Friday:

• Businesses operating in-person must continue to follow all state-issued business guidelines.

• Businesses that were operating at 50 percent occupancy in the yellow phase may increase to 75 percent occupancy.

• Child care facilities may open and must follow all state-issued guidelines.

• Schools may open but are subject to Centers for Disease Control and state guidelines.

• Construction activity may return to full capacity and must continue to practice all safety protocols.

• Restrictions for visitors remain in effect for all congregate care facilities, including long-term care facilities.

• Larger gatherings of less than 250 people are now permitted.

• Restaurants and bars may open at 50 percent occupancy and may serve food and drinks inside.

• Prison and hospital visits can resume.

• Personal care services, hair salons, barbershops, and nail salons, may reopen at 50 percent occupancy and by appointment only.

• Chester County gyms and spas may reopen at 50 percent occupancy; however, appointments are strongly encouraged.

• Sports teams can practice and play without fans, but they must first develop a COVID-19 safety plan and have it approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

• Entertainment facilities are allowed to open at 50 percent occupancy.

The action by the governor leaves a single Pennsylvania county — Lebanon County— under tighter pandemic restrictions. Republican leaders there reopened early in defiance of the Democratic governor and virus cases have spiked since then.

Meanwhile, nocost testing is available throughout Chester County for all residents who live or work there. County-sponsored locations, times and registration can be found at: http://chesco.org/4514. Officials say those with healthcare insurance should bring a card.

The study will continue into the fall.

The research will be contained to 6 acres, including state game lands, that are not typically frequented by park visitors, apart from seasoned hikers and hunters.

The scientists will treat select plots with biopesticides that contain Beauveria bassiana. The formulations are available commercially and are Environmental Protection Agency-approved, which means they have undergone rigorous reviews to ensure their safety, said Brian Walsh, an extension educator based in Berks County and a lead researcher on the project.

How lethal the fungi can be to the invasive insect was observed in 2018 by Bryan Lederer, assistant director of the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department, in the woods near Angora Fruit Farm.

He snapped photos on his cellphone and sent them to Leach at Penn State, which has been studying the sap-sucking pest that is plaguing Pennsylvania.

Leach contacted experts at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., who determined that the insect kill could be a discovery that will help Pennsylvania control the invasive bug.

Dr. Ann Hajek and Eric Clifton, the two Cornell researchers, determined two fungi native to Pennsylvania