Western Pa. towns declare states of emergency to prevent spread of covid-19

Communities in the Alle-Kiski Valley began declaring states of emergency Monday to prevent the spread of exposure to the coronavirus.

New Kensington Mayor Thomas Guzzo said the emergency declaration he signed Monday morning will last for five days unless city council extends it.

“The city will remain open to assist residents, however, the declaration requires that people contact the city staff by phone or email,” Guzzo said in a release. “This will ensure a community effort in fighting this spread of covid-19 and maintain an avenue to provide city services to our residents.”

City hall and city-owned properties are closed to the public until further notice, according to the disaster declaration. City employees will remain available to help by phone and email.

The police department will remain open; residents should call 911 for all emergencies.

The city’s tax office is closed, but all due dates for taxes remain in effect. All tax payments must be mailed or placed in a drop box outside the tax office.

The city is restricting events requiring city permits. Meetings of boards and commissions are asked to be limited to essential business only.

• • •

In Brackenridge, all public events have been canceled, and all bars, restaurants and social clubs have been asked to close.

“We just didn’t want any big groups to gather,” said Mayor Thomas Kish. “That’s the worst thing that could happen, I think.”

Kish said the decision was made with Council President Timothy Connelly and Emergency Management Director Rick Jones. Together, the three decided preventative measures were necessary.

Kish said the decision became more clear after Pittsburgh declared a state of emergency Friday, and after bars and restaurants in Allegheny County were ordered to close Sunday night.

“We don’t want to wait until it hits here,” Kish said.

Borough Secretary Denise Tocco said the borough previously only declared emergencies during snow disasters, when the municipality needed help with manpower or salting roads.

Officials felt it was important to reduce the number of people coming into the borough office, as well as gathering in public places, Tocco said.

Kish said he expects other municipalities in the Alle-Kiski Valley to follow suit — if not declaring a state of emergency, than taking other precautionary measures to limit large gatherings.

“I do believe we haven’t seen the worst of it yet,” he said. “Hopefully, I’m wrong.”

• • •

• Forest Hills: The Forest Hills borough office is closed indefinitely to the public. Recreation lodges are also closed. Staff will continue working as long as they remain healthy. Public safety services and public works will continue regular duties. A drop box at the main entrance to the borough building can be used to deliver payments. Contact the office with questions at 412-351-7330.

• Murrysville: The Murrysville emergency declaration was issued on Saturday by Mayor Regis Synan. It directs Chief Administrator Jim Morrison and the Murrysville Export Emergency Management coordinator to “take all appropriate action required to alleviate the effects of the coronavirus … to minimize access to municipal buildings and facilities as needed, and to take any other lawful emergency response or action deemed necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare” of municipal residents.