For Immediate Release

Precautions, Preparations to Limit Local Impact of COVID-19 

State College, PA – The Borough of State College is following public health advice to take precautionary and preparatory measures to limit the local impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus).  As we deal with this public emergency, we are continuously balancing the most important health and wellbeing issues for our employees and the general public with the economic and business concerns in our community, and our commitment to providing local government services to ensure the public health, safety and welfare.  

Mayor Ronald L. Filippelli has issued the following statement to the community: 

“I want to take a moment to express my sympathies to those around the world impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a global health crisis that has and will continue to have a local impact on our economy. My deepest sympathies go out to the local businesses and residents that are feeling the repercussions of this pandemic. I’ve spoken with Borough administration and can assure you that the Borough is making a maximum effort on keeping our citizens safe as we work through this unprecedented event. This release contains all the relevant information about changes the Borough is making to limit the local impact of COVID-19. 

All information and resources will be posted on the Borough’s website at www.statecollegepa.us/coronavirus and the Borough will be sending out a daily briefing via email to highlight the local updates. You can subscribe to those updates at http://www.statecollegepa.us/civicalerts.aspx?Mode=Subscribe and select “Public Health & Safety” under the NewsFlash section.”  

-Mayor Ronald L. Filippelli 


Our local Health Department is working in conjunction with the Centre Region Emergency Management Agency (CREMA) Response Team to monitor the situation and provide updates to our community.  The CREMA, which coordinates efforts with the Pennsylvania State University, Centre County Office of Emergency Services and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, was formed many years ago by the Centre Region municipalities, creating a single emergency operations plan, a shared emergency operations center and the hiring of an Emergency Management Coordinator to deal with multi-jurisdictional disasters and other emergencies, including widespread community health threats. The Centre Region Council of Governments has declared a state of emergency for all the Centre Region communities, including the Borough of State College along with the townships of College, Ferguson, Halfmoon, Harris and Patton. A full copy of this declaration is available on our webpage. 

The Borough joins with these partners in implementing and strongly recommending social distancing as a key tool to prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community. The Borough is developing options, both for employees and residents, who engage with and attend events that will minimize opportunities for viral transmission while allowing the continuity of vital services to the community. The following changes are being made: 

• The Borough of State College Parking Department will suspend metered parking enforcement at 5 p.m. instead of the regular time of 10 p.m. in all surface lots and on street meters through April 5, 2020.  All other parking regulations and policies will remain in place at this time.  All parking meters and equipment will be sanitized regularly.  For questions regarding this policy, please email parking@statecollegepa.us. 
  
  
• The Municipal Building will continue to be open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; however, the Borough encourages the use of email, phone, the website and other virtual methods to engage/request for service from the organization, including online payment options for taxes, and other payments to the Borough.  
  
  
• Due dates for tax payments remain unchanged at this time. 
  
  
• All Authorities, Boards, Committees and Commissions (ABCs) will be postponed through April 30, 2020, unless there are business items that must be decided on immediately and will impact the community’s essential services. A full list of cancellations will be posted and updated on the Borough’s COVID-19 webpage.
  
  
• All use of Borough facilities by outside groups has been restricted through April 5, 2020 and will likely be extended.   
  
  
• Front-end and other staff members that have frequent interactions with the public are following the Centers for Disease Control guidelines on how to prevent illness, which includes cleaning their hands often and avoiding close contact. 
  
  
• Employees who themselves or family member with whom they live are in a vulnerable population are encouraged to either work remotely if their job function is conducive to remote work or utilize sick leave. 

Additional information about events and meetings will be provided at the Borough’s website. 

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop symptoms of respiratory illness, such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing, contact the PA Department of Health at 1-877-724-3258 and your health care provider.  If you need to seek medical treatment, call the facility you intend to visit before showing up so that the staff can be aware and be prepared for your arrival.  
 

As we work together to cope with this public health challenge, the Borough of State College is grateful for our community partners at CREMA, Penn State University, State College Area School District, Mount Nittany Health, our many social service agencies and the many dedicated healthcare and first responder workers on the front lines who protect our health and safety every day.