Arkoosh: Montco ‘absolutely moving in the right direction’

Commissioner answers questions about move from red to yellow reopening phase

MONTGOMERY TWP » With all of Pennsylvania, including Montgomery County, now in the yellow phase of reopening, local officials gave a preview last week of the start of the recovery from COVID-19.

Local officials and Commissioners Chairwoman Val Arkoosh _ Commissioners Chairwoman Val Arkoosh

held a virtual townhall Wednesday to discuss what life will look like during the next phase of reopening.

“We are absolutely moving in the right direction, which is exciting,” Arkoosh said.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced

Friday that, as previewed last week, all remaining Pennsylvania counties that had been in the red phase of reopening have now moved into the yellow phase.

Montgomery Township Supervisors Chairwoman Tanya Bamford kicked off the townhall by moderating questions from an online audience, asking what changes residents will see with the switch from red to yellow.

“Almost every business, with some exceptions, can reopen. However, this should be thought of as a very slow, very soft, very cautious reopening,” Arkoosh said.

“We are in no way, shape or form ready to go back to the way we were all operating 15 weeks ago,” she said.

Under the yellow phase, working from home or telework must continue wherever possible, and

“Everyone must continue to do their part to keep this virus under control. There’s not going to be any summer vacation with this virus. It’s going to be with us all summer.”