For Immediate Release

Precautions, Preparations to Limit Local Impact of COVID-19 (Tuesday, March 17, 2020)

State College, PA – In order to limit the local impact of COVID-19, the Borough is announcing additional changes including special event cancellations, Municipal Building access, and other precautions. 


The Borough would like to emphasize that 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.  
 
Our local Health Department is working in conjunction with the Centre Region Emergency Management Agency (CREMA) Response Team and the Infectious Hazardous Planning Group to monitor the situation and provide updates to our community. CREMA provided an update to Council and the Community during the Monday, March 16, Borough Council Regular Meeting.
 
As of Wednesday, March 18, the following changes are in place:

• All business with the State College Borough should be conducted via phone, email, 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. 
• The Municipal Building will continue to be open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; however, the public will have limited access to the Municipal Building’s (243 South Allen Street) First Floor Lobby. Touchscreen tablets are available to provide access to the various applications (including the parking portal, tax services, and payment center) so that the public can still conduct business digitally with the organization. Hand sanitizer are located near this area and everyone is encouraged to wash their hands.
• There will be representatives available via the State College Police Department office to assist with all walk-in business.
• If you need consultation with a Centre Tax Agency representative or other staff member(s), please consult with the representative in the State College Police Department.
• On Monday, March 16, 2020, Council rescinded its previous approval and canceled all previously approved Special Activities and Special Events through May 10, 2020.  Events that are scheduled to occur after May 10 will be monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis to determine if those events should also be cancelled.  Events that are scheduled between May 10, 2020, and June 30, 2020, have been notified that those events may also be cancelled depending on the status of the pandemic.

• 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. 
• 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.  
• 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. 

 
All local updates to the COVID-19 pandemic are posted on the Borough website (www.statecollegepa.us/coronavirus). 
 
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.