• Require all customers to wear masks while entering, exiting or otherwise traveling throughout the restaurant or retail food service business (face masks may be removed while seated). Further, employees are required to wear masks at all times.
• Provide at least six feet between parties at tables or physical barriers between customers where booths are arranged back to back.
• Ensure maximum occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor areas are posted and enforced.

Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced beginning Saturday, October 17, COVID-19 testing sites will be launched in communities in Allegheny and Dauphin counties in faith-based settings.

“Research shows that geographically, low-income areas, including Pennsylvanian communities of Black or African American, Hispanic and/or Spanish-speaking minorities, have been disproportionately affected with higher rates of COVID-19,” Dr. Levine said. “We know that appropriate testing, along with other public health interventions such as social distancing, wearing face masks, avoiding group gatherings and practicing hand washing can help communities mitigate transmission of COVID-19. In seeking to address the racial disparities of COVID-19 transmission, the department is looking to partner with important community-based organizations, such as faith-based organizations, to support and provide testing. We encourage health providers to follow our lead in partnering with faith-based organizations to create testing sites at faith-based settings in impacted communities.”

To ensure a healthier Pennsylvania for all, especially during these unprecedented times, the Wolf administration will only partner with organizations and entities throughout our response to COVID-19 that have established a commitment to non-discriminatory practices.

To reduce the spread of COVID-19 to communities with an increased likelihood of contracting the virus, faith-based communities, hospitals/health systems and community health centers are partnering together in Allegheny and Dauphin counties to increase testing availability in these more vulnerable communities.

In Allegheny County, the Allegheny Health Network, Cornerstone Care Community Health Center, Metro Community Health Center, Northside Christian Health Center, Primary Care Health Services, Inc., Sto-Rox Family Health Center and 21 congregations representing both the Faith Based Health Collaborative of Pittsburgh, PA, and the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Churches of God in Christ have joined together with the department for this endeavor. In Dauphin County, the department is partnering with the Hamilton Health Center, the Salvation Army and five church congregations.

“While these relationships were built with the intention of closing the gap for COVID-19 testing disparities, we are taking this opportunity to disseminate COVID-19 messaging and foster long-term relationships with these churches,” Dr. Levine said.

In addition to the aforementioned church organizations, the department has established relationships with other faith-based organizations that are ready to collaborate with providers, received education on an existing evidence-based model utilized by a neighboring state and provider, and is working to identify locations where there may be a need for accessible testing.

Already, the commonwealth has partnered with entities including Rite Aid, CVS, Patient First, Walgreens, Latino Connection to provide testing. Pennsylvanians can also be tested at health clinics, through health systems, hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other locations. The department continues to conduct robust testing at the state public health laboratory as well.

The department began reaching out to certain hospitals, health systems and FQHCs to determine if they would consider partnering with local faith-based organizations to establish a temporary testing site that may include:

• Education;
• Diagnostic testing; and
• Referrals and connection to health care providers.

Interested entities may reach out to the Department of Health Office of Health Equity for a list of the participating faith-based organizations in their county who have shown an interest in this initiative.

At present, the dates and times for Allegheny testing events are as follows:

• Saturday, October 17, Braddock Family Health Center with Unity Baptist Church, 420 Fifth St., Braddock, PA, 15104 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM;
• Monday, October 19, Triumph Baptist Church,1293 Mt. Nebo Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15237 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM;
• Wednesday, October 21, Petra International Ministries, 235 Eastgate Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM;
• Thursday, October 22,
  • Mount Ararat Church, 271 Paulson Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM;
  • The Hill House Family Health Center with Calvary Baptist Church, 2629 Wylie Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15219 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM;

• Monday, October 26,
  • St. Paul AME Church, 400 Orchard Place, Pittsburgh, PA, 15210 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM;
  • Jerusalem Baptist Church, 12 S. 5^th St, Duquesne, PA, 15110 from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM;
• Wednesday, October 28 Mt. Olive First Baptist Church, 451 Park Ave., Clairton, PA, 15025 from 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM; and
• Thursday, October 29, Pentecostal Temple Church of God In Christ, 6300 E Liberty Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA, 15207 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

At present, the dates and times for Dauphin testing events are as follows:

• Friday, October 21, Kingdom Embassy Church, 2111 N. 4th Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17110 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM;
• Monday, October 26, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with Goodwin Baptist Church, 248 Seneca St., Harrisburg, PA ,17110 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM;
• Tuesday, October 27, Shiloh Church of God in Christ, 5950 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17111 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM; and
• Friday, October 30, LCBC Church, 4510 Chambers Hill Rd, Harrisburg, PA, 17111 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

As additional dates and times are finalized, these will be advertised on the Department of Health’s website, Twitter and Facebook social media accounts.

Testing events will occur outdoors where participants may drive through or walk up to receive free testing. Registration will be encouraged but an appointment is not necessary to be tested. Participants should bring a photo-ID. On average, the turnaround time to receive results will be two to three days after testing.

Individuals who are tested should self-isolate while they await test results. For those individuals who live with other people, they should self-isolate in a private room and use a private bathroom if possible. Whoever else lives in the home with the individual awaiting test results should also stay at home. The department has additional instructions for individuals waiting for a COVID-19 test result.

For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials
• Map with the number of COVID-19 cases

Harrisburg, PA – First Lady Frances Wolf today participated in a Facebook Live book reading with Pennsylvania-based non-profit Mikayla’s Voice to help raise awareness for Down Syndrome Awareness Month and encourage that people of all abilities should be celebrated in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Wolf read High Fives and a Big Heart, a book written and illustrated by a fourth-grade class to help celebrate their classmate with Down syndrome, Jeffrey, and explain Down syndrome to other children.

“Here in Pennsylvania, we know that our differences make us special and that the more we know about our neighbors, the stronger we are as individuals,” said First Lady Wolf. “We are proud to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month to help honor the contributions of individuals living with Down syndrome to our communities, raise awareness of related research and early intervention needs, and promote respect and inclusion for all people.”

Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person inherits an extra chromosome from one of their parents. In the United States, there are over 400,000 individuals living with Down syndrome today. Approximately one in every 700 children are born with Down syndrome, representing an estimated 6,000 births per year.

Mikayla’s Voice, which is headquartered in Nazareth, Pa., is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization that develops and coordinates inclusive programming in education, art, sports and recreation. Kimberly Resh, founder of Mikayla’s Voice, started the organization in 2010, inspired by her daughter, Mikayla, who was born with a brain injury that resulted in multiple disabilities and her use of a wheelchair. Mikayla passed away 18 months ago, and First Lady Wolf is honored to participate in this event in her honor.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Bureau of Special Education works collaboratively with educators, schools, agencies and other stakeholders across the state to ensure students have access to quality and meaningful education supports, services and opportunities.

“Commitments to inclusion and diversity are the pillars of an equitable community,” Education Acting Sec. Noe Ortega said. “Down Syndrome Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize that our diversity in ability, perspective and experience makes our communities stronger, and reinforces our commitments to inclusion in our schools and the broader community.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Programs supports Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities to achieve greater independence, choice and opportunity in their lives, continuously seeking to improve an effective system of accessible services and supports that are flexible, innovative and person-centered.

“When we value and honor individual differences and experiences, they become something that can and should be learned from and celebrated. It is this diversity of human experience that makes all of our lives richer. Down Syndrome Awareness Month celebrates that for the more than 400,000 people with Down Syndrome around the country,” said Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller. “Inclusion and understanding makes individual experiences better and our communities stronger, and I encourage all Pennsylvanians to continue the progress we’ve made as a society by playing an active role in celebrating and uplifting the stories and experiences of our family, friends and neighbors with Down Syndrome so they can live an Everyday Life with inclusion and opportunities that they are entitled to and deserve.” 

Governor Wolf recently proclaimed October 2020 Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Harrisburg, Pa. – Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar today reminded mail ballot voters that they must seal their ballot in both the white inner secrecy envelope and the pre-addressed outer return envelope for their ballot to count.

“A so-called ‘naked ballot’ is one that is returned without being enclosed in both envelopes, and it won’t be counted. Don’t let your ballot go naked. Remember to “dress” it in both envelopes before returning it,” Secretary Boockvar said. “We want every eligible Pennsylvanian to vote and have their voice heard.”

Mail ballot voters also must complete and sign the voter’s declaration on the outer envelope.  Even if voters plan to drop off their ballot in person in a drop box or other designated drop-off location, they must still include the pre-addressed outer envelope with their voter’s declaration signed or their ballot won’t be counted.

To vote by mail, remember these tips and requirements:

• Anyone registered to vote is eligible to vote by mail. The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election is Oct. 19. Pennsylvanians can register to vote or check their registration status at votesPA.com.
• Anyone who plans to vote by mail must apply for a mail ballot. Voters can apply online or print a paper application at votesPA.com and return it to their county board of elections. The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is 5 p.m. Oct. 27, but voters are urged to apply now, so they have plenty of time to return their ballot before the election.
• Voters who applied for a mail-in ballot for the primary and asked to be added to the permanent annual mail ballot list do not need to reapply for a mail ballot for the general election. Voters can call their county board of elections to ask whether they are a permanent annual voter and to get information about the timing for their ballot, or they can check the status of their mail ballot at votesPA.com.
• While applying for an absentee ballot still requires the voter to provide a reason, mail-in voting does not.
• Once the voter’s application for a mail ballot is verified, their county election office will mail them a ballot after they have been finalized and printed.
• As soon as the voter receives the ballot, the voter should:
  • Read the instructions carefully.
  • Fill out the ballot, being sure to follow instructions on how to mark selections.
  • Seal the ballot in the white inner secrecy envelope that indicates “official ballot.” Make sure not to make any stray marks on the envelope.
  • Then seal the inner secrecy envelope in the pre-addressed outer return envelope which the voter must sign. If the ballot is not enclosed in both envelopes, it will not be counted.
  • Complete and sign the voter’s declaration on the outside of the outer return envelope. If the voter does not sign the outer envelope, the ballot will not be counted.
• The voter should then return their voted ballot to their county board of elections, as soon as possible. Voters have two options for how to return their ballot:
  • Voters can mail their ballot. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by 8 p.m. Nov. 3 and received by the county election office by 5 p.m. Nov. 6. The Department of State is providing pre-paid postage on mail ballot return envelopes.
  • Voters can hand-deliver their ballot to their county election office or other officially designated site. Hand-delivered ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Some counties are providing drop boxes or drop-off sites for mail ballots. Check your county’s website for information on locations. The Department of State has posted a list of drop-off locations and is adding information as it becomes available.
• Under Pennsylvania law, voters may only return their own ballots. The only exceptions to this are for voters with a disability who have designated someone in writing to deliver their ballot, or for voters who are hospitalized or need an emergency absentee ballot.
• If a voter submits a voted mail ballot, they cannot vote at the polls on election day.
• Voters who apply for and receive a mail ballot and then decide they want to vote at the polls must bring their entire unvoted mail ballot packet with them to be voided, including both envelopes.
• If a voter applies for a mail ballot, but does not return it and no longer has the mail ballot and envelopes, they may vote by provisional ballot at the polls on election day. Their county board of elections will then verify that they didn’t vote by mail before counting their provisional ballot.

Secretary Boockvar noted that eligible voters also have two other voting options:

• Voters can go in person to their county election offices or satellite election office any time they are open, apply for a ballot, fill it out and return it on the spot – all in one visit. The deadline to vote this way is 5 p.m. October 27.
• If they have not voted by mail or in person ahead of the election, they can vote at the polls on election day between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. They should wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. The Department of State is supplying counties with masks, face shields, hand sanitizer, floor marking tape and other supplies for polling places so Pennsylvanians can safely exercise their right to vote during this COVID-19 emergency.

“Pennsylvanians now have more voting options – that are more secure, accessible and convenient – than ever before,” Secretary Boockvar said. “Whichever option you choose, the most important thing is that you vote.”

For more information on voting in Pennsylvania, visit the department’s voting website votesPA.com.

Secretary of Human Services Teresa Miller answers questions from the press.Governor Tom Wolf announced that people with intellectual disabilities and autism and the providers of support services for these vulnerable Pennsylvanians will receive $260 million in CARES Act funding to help continue to provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Wolf was joined by Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller, who outlined to details of funding allocations. JUNE 15, 2020 – HARRISBURG, PA

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Human Services (DHS) today reminded people needing Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history background checks as a condition of employment that the December 31 deadline to obtain this clearance is approaching and strongly encouraged anyone needing this clearance to start the process now. Earlier this year, Governor Wolf signed Act 18 of 2020, which extends the time period for certain professions required by the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) to obtain an FBI background check upon hiring.

“The pandemic and stay-at-home period created challenges for people needing clearances to work with children. A temporary extension was passed in order to create flexibility for the FBI criminal history background check, but that deadline is approaching,” said DHS Secretary Teresa Miller. “I urge anyone needing a new clearance or who needs to renew an existing clearance to start this process now. Getting this clearance ahead of the deadline is the best way to avoid delays and ensure that you have what you need to stay in compliance and continue working.”

In order to receive an FBI background check, fingerprints must be submitted as part of the criminal history check. Fingerprint scans can be taken at an IdentoGO location in the commonwealth. Many IdentoGO locations were temporarily closed in the spring, creating challenges for people still trying to meet the fingerprinting requirement. An extension on the FBI clearance requirement was passed to accommodate workers during this challenge, and since then the majority of IdentoGo locations have reopened. Required clearances must be obtained by December 31 for workers to remain in compliance.

Pennsylvanians are still strongly encouraged to get fingerprinted and obtain their FBI Criminal History Clearance as soon as possible to avoid potential delays due to an increase of people obtaining clearances. A map of all open IdentoGO locations is available here, and this map is updated as new offices begin to reopen. Anyone seeking fingerprinting services should call IDEMIA’s customer service at 844-321-2101 to ensure the location is still operating, schedule an appointment, and discuss necessary COVID-19 safety precautions.

If employers have a large number of employees needing new or renewed clearances, arrangements can be made to have fingerprinting occur at the workplace. Mobile fingerprinting services are available for an additional fee through IDEMIA for groups of 20 or more needing clearances . Agencies with this need should contact IDEMIA to schedule.

Under Act 18 of 2020, individuals who are required to obtain an FBI background check were given additional time to meet this requirement because of closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The extension for new hires to obtain the FBI background check lasts until 60 days following the expiration of the disaster emergency declaration issued by Governor Wolf or December 31, 2020, whichever is sooner. Individuals seeking a renewal of the FBI Criminal History Background Check have until December 31, 2020 to obtain the check. All individuals required to obtain additional clearances, including the Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check and the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, must still obtain these clearances prior to employment. Both of these clearances can be obtained online.

Act 18 of 2020 applies to individuals who must get their FBI Criminal History Background Check prior to beginning employment as found in Section 6344 of the CPSL and those individuals required by Section 6344.4 of the CPSL that are due to have their fingerprint checks renewed. The law does not extend the fingerprinting and background check requirement for new volunteers under the CPSL, public school employees prior to employment, and others required to receive FBI background checks under different departments.

For more information on clearances necessary to work with children, visit www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov.

Harrisburg, PA – In the September 2020 report, Pennsylvania Department of Health nursing home surveyors conducted 543 inspections of 361 unique nursing homes, including 366 complaint investigations. Of these, 230 were COVID-19 specific. No sanctions were finalized against nursing care facilities in the last month.

“We know that congregate care settings, including nursing homes, have been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Levine said. “That is why we remain committed to protecting the health and well-being of our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians by continuing to hold nursing home operators accountable, as necessary, to ensure they are providing safe care. If you see something at a nursing home that doesn’t seem right, we encourage you to speak up.”

Individuals with complaints about a nursing home can file that complaint with the department in several ways. Complaints can be made anonymously by calling 1-800-254-5164, filling out the online complaint form, emailing c-ncomplai@pa.gov or sending the complaint in the mail to the department.

The number of newly reported long-term care facility (LTCF) deaths due to COVID-19 has decreased, as reflected in the LTCF graphs on the department’s LTCF data page. New cases have remained steady as facilities continue to test where outbreaks are occurring through mandated universal testing.

The inspections, called surveys, include information on nursing home patient care and building inspections. If a facility is cited for not following regulations during the survey, it must submit a plan of correction that includes what will be done to fix the issue and a completion date. The department will conduct a surprise follow-up inspection to ensure the issue is resolved. Surveys are posted to the website 41 days after the survey is completed.

The Department of Health also conducts surveys on behalf of Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). These surveys include federal certification and recertification, complaint surveys, building safety surveys and others.

The department also may issue a sanction. Possible sanctions include a civil penalty, a ban on admissions, a license being revoked, or a facility being put on a provisional license, which requires, among other things, being subject to additional inspections. A provisional license can be renewed no more than three times. The department can return the facility to a regular license if it is satisfied that all issues have been corrected and it is warranted.

The department maintains a searchable database, which allows the public to view patient care surveys, building safety surveys, size of the nursing home, type of ownership and additional information about each of the nursing homes in the state. The department oversees 692 nursing homes and more than 88,000 beds within nursing homes in Pennsylvania, in addition to other facilities, including hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, home care agencies and others.

The Wolf Administration has taken a three-pillar approach to protecting the vulnerable residents living in nursing homes and other long-term living settings from COVID-19:

• Ensuring resident safety through testing, education and resources;
• Preventing and mitigating outbreaks; and
• Working in partnership with state agencies, local health departments and long-term care facility operators.

More information regarding case information for all nursing homes, guidance provided to nursing homes, the orders in place, fact sheets and frequently asked questions documents to assist in regard to what is being done by the state to assist nursing homes can be found on the department’s COVID-19 nursing home page.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out for a life-sustaining reason, please wear a mask.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.