Live reopening updates: What to know as Centre County enters the green phase

We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date coronavirus news as Centre County prepares to enter the green phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to reopen Pennsylvania. Check back for updates.

‘It’s a learning experience.’ How Centre County businesses are reopening in the green phase

The “green phase” of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan is far from a return to “normal,” but as Centre County residents found out Friday, businesses that have been closed since March have sprung back to life, ready to provide services while protecting patrons against COVID-19.

During Centre County’s three weeks in the yellow phase, “closed” signs could be found on many businesses throughout the region, while food from restaurants was limited to takeout or delivery. Starting Friday, most businesses in Centre County can now open their doors, provided they follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health.

Restaurants, bars taking ‘as many precautions as we can’

A few days ago, like most restaurants around the county, State College’s Mad Mex sat virtually empty.

Sure, takeout was still available. And, yes, a handful of salaried employees were on-hand at the Pugh Street location. But that was in stark contrast to the buzzing Mexican restaurant and bar Friday afternoon, the first day of Centre County entering the “green phase.”

College students chatted outside while keeping their distance, masked servers took down lunch orders, and a hostess in a dark-blue mask stood outside to make sure customers entered knowing what to expect. (Customers were required to wear masks unless seated at their tables.)

“We’re trying to take as many precautions as we can,” said Molly Wisniewski, a regional Mad Mex manager that works out of Happy Valley. “I’d say the overall consensus is that we’re excited, we’re ready for this, and we want to see it done well.”

- by Josh Moyer

Gyms ready to welcome back trainers, members

One of many gyms forced to close due to the coronavirus, Elite Edge Athletics, will finally reopen its doors Monday.

John Kmiecinski, owner of the Bellefonte gym, has been preparing the facility — located at 3013 Benner Pike — for weeks in anticipation that Centre County would move into the green phase of reopening.

With an 80% drop in revenue, he said he can’t wait to welcome back gym trainers and members. But with safety being the top priority, Kmiecinski said he’s taken several precautions to make sure everyone stays healthy while exercising.

- by Marley Parish

Salons get creative

There are some certainties that come along with personal care services reopening after a two-month hiatus, like a backlog of hundreds of unkempt customers.

Another is that clients will be wearing masks during the duration of their visits, which is required under Wolf’s plan. But therein lies an uncertainty. How do you trim the hair around the ears?

“I think it’s just gonna have to be trial and error,” Emily Johnson, owner of the Gentleman’s Salon in State College, said. “... We’re just gonna have to wait and see. We might have to get creative.”

- by Bret Pallotto

Theaters return at lower capacity

Entertainment venues — theaters, casinos, shopping malls — have a green light in the green phase, but must open at 50% capacity.

For the Rowland Theatre, a single screen theater in Philipsburg that can seat more than 1,000 people, that won’t be a problem.

“Social distancing is extremely doable at the theater,” said Rebecca Inlow, who is a member of the theater’s board of directors. “It makes us a little different from other multiplex movie theaters and makes it easier for the reopening.”

- by Megan Swift

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., tests positive for COVID-19 antibodies, pledges to donate plasma

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D- Pa., likely had the coronavirus — following a positive antibody test on Wednesday afternoon.

The senator announced Friday that he self-quarantined for two weeks this spring, after showcasing a low-grade fever and mild flu-like symptoms. Though he was never tested for COVID-19, Casey said his symptoms went away in mid-April.

Casey received an antibody test last week to determine whether he had the virus and if he could donate blood plasma, according to a release from the senator’s office.

- by Marley Parish

Centre County reports 1 new case of COVID-19, as state total nears 71,000

In its first day in the “green” phase on Friday, Centre County added one new positive case of coronavirus — bringing the overall total to 151, according to the state Department of Health.

That means the county has had about 13 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks, which remains well within the state’s target goal of having 50 such cases or fewer. That number is part of the criteria that allowed the county to join 17 others in becoming the first Friday to move to the “green phase,” the least-restrictive phase of Wolf’s reopening plan.

- by Marley Parish

Ruling gives blind voters accessible ballots for primary

A federal judge has ordered Pennsylvania to make accessible write-in ballots available for disabled people who request them by 8 p.m. on Friday, granting a request by a blind voter who does not want to vote in person during the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer Wilson issued a temporary restraining order on Wednesday that requires the accessible write-in ballots for those who have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

- The Associated Press

Governor to lift more pandemic restrictions in Pennsylvania

Gov. Tom Wolf will lift most of his pandemic restrictions in another 16 counties that are home to nearly 3 million people across western and central Pennsylvania, including much of the Pittsburgh area, his office said Friday.

The counties include Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Clinton, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Indiana, Lycoming, Mercer, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland.

They will move next Friday to the so-called “green” phase, the phase with the fewest restrictions in the governor’s stoplight-colored three-phase reopening plan.

Meanwhile Friday, 26 more counties woke up to fewer restrictions, announced a week ago by Wolf.

Eighteen mostly rural counties across northern Pennsylvania that are home to about 850,000 residents are moving to the green phase, the first counties to do so. That includes Centre County, the home of Penn State’s main campus.

- The Associated Press

Lawmakers have a plan to distribute $2.6 billion for COVID-19 relief. Here’s what Centre County will get

Centre County is set to receive $14.7 million in funding to support its struggling economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s part a plan approved Thursday by the Pennsylvania legislature to distribute about $2.6 billion in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding for individuals, small businesses and county governments affected by the coronavirus.

Also on Thursday, a $25.8 billion interim budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year was approved.

The interim budget will fund state services until the effects of Gov. Tom Wolf’s statewide shutdown and the coronavirus become clearer.

- by Marley Parish

Centre County hair salons can reopen in the ‘green phase.’ But expect to wait for an appointment

Unkempt hair styles are so spring 2020.

Centre County beauty salons and barber shops that were closed for about two months to mitigate the potential spread of the new coronavirus are among businesses permitted to reopen Friday.

Personal care services can be joined by bars, malls, health and wellness facilities and entertainment facilities that all may reopen to 50% capacity in the “green phase” of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan.

- by Bret Pallotto

You’ll soon be able to swim at Pa. state park beaches. Here’s what to know and what’s changed

A gradual reopening of state park swimming beach and pools is set to begin next week, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced Thursday.

On June 6, all 58 state park swimming beaches will be open to the public, with most state park pools in “yellow” and “green phase” counties opening June 13.

“Water-based activity is an integral part of the state park experience in Pennsylvania and, with appropriate protocols in place to ensure safety and as staffing permits, this department continues to reopen its state parks and forests so that Pennsylvanians can realize all the benefits of being outdoors,” Dunn said in a statement.

- by Acacia Aster Broder

Green light for ‘green phase’: Commissioners vote to move ahead with reopening Centre County

Centre County will move into the “green phase” of the state’s reopening plan Friday, following a unanimous request Tuesday from the board of commissioners.

The county was initially on the list to move into the green phase, which eases most restrictions of the stay-at-home order, but commissioners Michael Pipe and Mark Higgins asked the governor’s office last week to remain in yellow, citing concerns for residents’ safety at the June 2 primary election.

After talking to local officials and the state Department of Health over the weekend, the pair rescinded their request, and Centre County is now set to reopen Friday, as Gov. Tom Wolf’s office originally planned.

- by Marley Parish

Business/reopening updates

• Weis Markets has extended its operating hours by one hour in the evenings, and will now be open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours are 7 a.m.-8 p.m. The designated shopping hour for seniors and those with compromised immune systems remains 6-7 a.m. Tuesdays. Availability of Weis 2 Go Online Pickup or Delivery availability has also been extended from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Service delis have also reopened, with social distancing markers and signage, and the pharmacy has resumed its immunization program with additional safety precautions.
• The Centre County Library and Historical Museum’s Bookmobile will return to its regular weekly schedule with limited services starting Monday. Visitors are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing while waiting to enter. There will be a limit of one family/person in the vehicle at a time. The Bookmobile will be open for dropping off or picking up requested items only; browsing the shelves is not permitted. No fines or fees are being charged.

• Planet Fitness State College is reopening Saturday. In addition to the cleanliness and sanitation standards the gym has already had in place, employees will receive daily temperature checks and have undergone extensive cleaning and sanitizing training. There will be increased sanitation stations and some pieces of equipment will be off limits to promote social distancing.

Sports

Recreation

Clubs and activities

Government

Health care

• Mount Nittany Medical Center is expanding its emergency services by offering 24-hour on-demand care via telehealth visits with a physician. For more information or to set up a visit, go to mountnittany.org/virtualER.

Election

• The Pennsylvania Department of State is offering accessible write-in ballots to voters with disabilities upon request. “These ballots will allow blind and low-vision voters to vote privately and independently in Tuesday’s primary,” Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said in a statement. “We are committed to increasing accessibility for voters with disabilities and implementing a long-term solution for accessible ballots for the November election and beyond.” To receive an accessible write-in ballot, voters must: have applied for absentee or mail-in ballot by the Tuesday deadline and have not submitted their ballot; request the ballot by 8 p.m. Friday by email at ra-awib@pa.gov and include their full name, birth date and address; and complete an accessible declaration sent to them electronically. Voters will receive a ballot, instructions and other materials via email. Voters can fill out the ballot in their homes using screen reader software and then print out their ballot and return it to the county elections office. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Tuesday, and a postmark is not sufficient.

Penn State

• As Centre County prepares to move into the green phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan, Penn State is reminding people that social distancing guidelines still apply on campus. Face masks must be worn when inside or when close to other people, the university said in a release. Social distancing of a least 6 feet is also required between people who are not from the same household. “Our campuses and local communities have done an extraordinary job of reducing the spread of the coronavirus,” Penn State President Eric Barron said. “But we must remain vigilant. The shift to a green phase signals that a county has made good progress in its efforts to minimize the spread of the virus, but it is not a green light to stop employing those safety measures, as the impacts from this pandemic are far from over.” Large gatherings are still discouraged, including at Penn State landmarks such as the Nittany Lion shrine and “We Are” statue

Pennsylvania news

Community feedback

• A survey is asking State College businesses about their needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery. The responses will guide the borough and Redevelopment Authority as they develop programs to help local businesses. The survey will close at 11:59 p.m. June 7 and can be found here. It was originally set to close Sunday.
• Penn State has teamed up with local leaders for the Centre County COVID-19 Data 4 Action Project (Data 4 Action). The first initiative of the project is an anonymous survey, which will document how the pandemic is impacting Centre County residents’ lives and their experiences they as return to work and school. The survey launched Monday at Data4Action.psu.edu and can also be taken by phone from noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday at 753-4799. All adult Centre County residents are asked to complete the survey by June 12. For every 100 individuals who complete the survey, Penn State will make a $100 donation to the Centre County Food Pantries (serving residents throughout the county) and will donate up to $10,000.

Community outreach/appreciation

• The Centre County United Way’s Hamer Foundation Community Disaster Fund will provide financial assistance to county residents who are struggling due to COVID-19. Those in need must contact Centre Helps to be eligible for help from the fund. Centre Helps will decide whether to apply for funding on that person’s behalf or refer him or her to an organization that will seek out all available support before applying for funds. Requests for funding, which will be $150,000 in the first phase, can be for items such as rent, mortgage payments, food, utility bills, medication costs and child care. Nonprofits interesting in applying on behalf of a client can find out more at www.ccunitedway.org/hamer-foundation-community-disaster-fund.

Things to do

• The third annual Central PA Theatre & Dance Fest will go virtual this year, June 19-21, with a weeklong series of events leading up to the three-day festival. For more information, visit Centralpatheatre.com.

• In a project called “Tying Us Together,” Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts organizers are calling for people to make friendship bracelets between now and July, sharing some with their friends and donating the remainder to the festival. Festival organizers will sell them at local retailers to support this year’s virtual Arts Festival, according to a news release.

A limited number of kits of embroidery floss and instructions are available at:

• Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, 403 S. Allen St., Suite 205A, State College
• The Makery, 209 W. Calder Way, State College
• State College Framing Company & Gallery, 160 Rolling Ridge Drive, State College
• Art a la Carte, 107 S. Allegheny St., Bellefonte

For more information, visit https://arts-festival.com/2020/05/tying-us-together/.

• Ridgelines Language Arts is launching a new program, “Being Heard Poetry Pen Pals,” to replace its in-person programs at Centre Crest. Volunteer pen pals will be matched with a Centre Crest resident who has signed up for the program and pen pals will exchange regular notes and share favorite poems. To get involved or learn more, email RidgelinesLanguageArts@gmail.com

• The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Penn State moved its program online during the pandemic. The group offers courses, trips and activities for those 50 and older. OLLI’s summer course catalog is available online and registration begins June 1. The summer semester begins June 15.

Free meal options

This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 7:00 AM.