Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf Easing Restrictions In 24 Counties

Alexandria Hoff reports.

TO STATE PARKS AND WILDLIFEAREAS IN DELAWARE MUST WEAR AMASK.THE LOCKDOWN WILL SOON BELETTING UP IN MORE THAN A THIRDOF PENNSYLVANIA.BUT IN OUR REGION IN THESOUTHEAST, MOST OF THE STAY ATHOME RESTRICTIONS REMAIN INPLACE THAT'S DESPITE THE OPENINGOF MARINAS, GOLF COURSES ANDPRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS.AS ALEXANDRIA HOFF EXPLAINS ITALL COMES DOWN TO RED AND YELLOWPARAMETERS.BEGINNING AT 12:01 A.M.

NEXTFRIDAY, MAY 8, 24 PENNSYLVANIACOUNTIES WILL DOWNGRADE THEIRCOVID-19 RESTRICTIONS FROM THERED PHASE WHERE WE ARE NOW, TOYELLOW.WE FINALLY MADE IT TO THEMOMENT OF STARTING TO REOPEN OURCOMMONWEALTH.AND IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH TIME FOREVERYONE.THIS MAP RELEASED BY THEGOVERNOR'S OFFICE SHOWS THECOUNTIES POISED TO BEDOWNGRADED.THE CLOSEST BEING 120 MILES FROMPHILADELPHIA.THE POPULATION DENSITY IS ONEOF THE MAIN FACTORS THAT CANLEAD TO SIGNIFICANT SPREAD OFCOVID-19.ACCORDING TO STATE HEALTHOFFICIALS, THE 24 COUNTIESCHOSEN HAD THE LOWEST PER CAPITACASE COUNTS.THEY ALSO NOW HAVE THE ABILITYTO PERFORM CONTACT TRACING.OUR CONTACT TRACING ANDTESTING PLANS WILL ENSURE THATAS WE BEGIN TO SAFELY RESUME OURDAILY ACTIVITIES, WE CAN DO SOSAFELY AND WITHOUT FEAR.SO WHAT ABOUT THE GREATERPHILADELPHIA REGION?ARE WE TALKING WEEKS?OR MONTHS?OF REMAINING IN THE RED PHASEUNDER A STAY-AT-HOME ORDER?WELL GOVERNOR WOLF SAYS ITDEPENDS ON HOW WELL WE STAY AWAYFROM EACH OTHER.PENNSYLVANIA IS LIVING IN ACOUNTY THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BEUNDER A STAY-AT-HOME ORDER.MAKE CHOICES THAT WILL LEAD TOFEWER CASES AND A FASTER MOVE TOLIFTED RESTRICTIONS.BUT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE 24COUNTIES MOVING INTO THE YELLOWPHASE NEXT WEEK MAY OFFERGUIDANCE FOR WHAT THE PHILLYAREA CAN EXPECT.BECAUSE THE YELLOW PHASE IS BYNO MEANS A FREE FOR ALL.FOR EXAMPLE, TELEWORKCONTINUES ARE WITH POSSIBLE.DAY CARES WILL OPEN BUT SCHOOLSWILL REMAIN CLOSED.SALONS WILL REMAIN CLOSED ASWELL.BARS AND RESTAURANTS WILL STILLBE CARRY OUT ONLY.GATHERINGS OVER 25 PEOPLE AREPROHIBITED.ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION