Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 20
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in Centre County. Check back for updates.
Centre County liquor stores max out number of orders for first day of partial reopening
Two Centre Region liquor stores smoothly reopened Monday and received the maximum number of orders they could fulfill in a day, a state Liquor Control Board spokesman said.
Fine Wine & Good Spirits at 1682 N. Atherton St. in Patton Township and 127 Southridge Plaza in College Township were closed for weeks to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, but partially reopened Monday.
Each state-owned liquor store accepted about 50 orders by phone Monday, which are scheduled to be picked up curbside between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. within “a few days” of order placement, spokesman Shawn Kelly said.
- by Bret Pallotto
Gov. Wolf extends Pennsylvania’s stay-at-home order, sets date for reopening economy
Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday extended the statewide stay-at-home order and set a target date to begin reopening the economy.
The order, which was set to expire April 30, will now last through May 8. On that date, plans are for the state to reopen gradually. Social distancing guidelines and limits on large gatherings will be in place during the process, Wolf said.
“I want to caution that we will not be resuming operations as they were in February,” he said. “We’re going to continue to take precautions that limit our physical contact with others, and we will closely monitor this to see if it can be done safely.”
- by Matt Hymowitz
Wolf to ease restrictions on construction, vehicle sales
Pennsylvania will ease some restrictions on building construction and vehicle sales, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday as hundreds of protesters defied a ban on mass gatherings to stage an anti-shutdown rally at the Capitol.
Wolf announced a first, tentative step toward reopening the state’s economy after weeks of social distancing to combat the new virus, which has killed more than 1,200 Pennsylvania residents and sickened more than 33,000.
Wolf said he is signing online-notary legislation that will pave the way for online vehicle sales. And limited building construction work may resume on May 8, he said.
- The Associated Press
No new COVID-19 cases reported in Centre County as state breaks data down by ZIP code
Some of Centre County’s highest concentrations of COVID-19 cases are in the State College ZIP code area, according to data released Monday by the state Health Department.
Thirty-four of Centre County’s 73 cases have been reported in State College’s 16801 and 16803 ZIP codes.
The 16823 ZIP code, which covers part of Bellefonte, Milesburg and Pleasant Gap, has the second-most reported cases with 14.
- by Bret Pallotto
Penn State cancels all nonessential meetings, events through at least June 19
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Penn State has canceled all nonessential, in-person meetings and events through at least June 19.
In a release Friday, the university said the decision — which applies to all Penn State campuses — aims to protect the health of students, staff, faculty and campus visitors. All meetings have been canceled, rescheduled or moved to an online platform. The announcement aligns with last week’s move to cancel all in-person summer camp programs.
- by Marley Parish
‘Detrimental’ impact of COVID-19 leads to permanent closure of Bellefonte co-working space
Bellefonte was the perfect place to open a co-working space, but for Studio 1795, it was the wrong time.
Nearly three months after opening, Ellen Matis had to shutter the studio following Gov. Tom Wolf’s order to close all nonessential businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic. Weeks into the closure, Matis announced Studio 1795 will not reopen even after the order is lifted because the financial impact has been too great.
- by Marley Parish
Pa. restoration company has provided COVID-19 cleaning to more than 20 area fire departments
First responders — whether they’re emergency medical service providers, firefighters or law enforcement officers — are critical during times of crisis. Now more than ever, it’s vital that these workers are healthy enough to do their jobs.
That’s why Mammoth Restoration — a water, fire and smoke damage restoration company with locations across the state, including State College and Pleasant Gap — has been offering its cleaning and sanitation services to area fire departments over the past weeks, free of charge.
- by Lilly Riddle
Closings/cancellations
- The 74th annual Snow Shoe Carnival has been canceled. The decision was made after consultation with experts and community leaders, carnival chairman Thomas D. Taylor Jr. wrote in a Facebook post. The committee intends to move forward with plans for the 2021 carnival.
- The Centre County Public Safety Training Center canceled all certification tests for May.
- The 33rd Bellefonte Cruise has been canceled.
Pennsylvania news
- The Wolf administration’s order requiring customers and employees at essential businesses to wear masks went into effect at 8 p.m. Sunday. Failure to comply with that requirement, or any of the others laid out in the worker safety order, could result in citations, fines or license suspension.
- Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed a bill that would have allowed more Pennsylvania businesses to open by redefining what’s considered essential, Spotlight PA reported. “Reopening tens of thousands of businesses too early will only increase the spread of the virus, place more lives at risk, increase the death tolls, and extend the length of the economic hardships created by the pandemic,” Wolf said in his veto message.
Health care
- Mount Nittany Health will hold a question and answer session about COVID-19 with Dr. Nirmal Joshi at 1 p.m. Wednesday via Facebook Live. To submit a question, message Mount Nittany Health on Facebook or email communications@mountnittany.org.
Things to do
- Penn State’s Student Programming Association will host a virtual Q&A with former Nittany Lion Saquon Barkley at 6:30 p.m. Monday. SPA will also host a virtual lecture by astronaut Eileen Collins at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Registration is required for both events.
Free meal options
Community outreach
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 5:48 AM.