Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
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Harrisburg
Pennsylvania
17120
United States
Local Government COVID-19 FAQs
Yes. Due to the unique nature of the coronavirus (Covid-19), where human contact can have deadly consequences, municipalities are urged to declare a state of emergency which will legally allow you to close your facilities and temporarily stop public meetings, thus helping to limit the spread of the disease. The Emergency Services Management Code in Title 35 references a seven-day local declaration unless an elected body agrees to a different length of time. DCED recommends at least a 14-day proclamation or ideally following the lead of the commonwealth on setting an end date to a state of emergency.
Yes. The governor’s proclamation directed governments across all levels to continue to provide essential life-saving services and remain functioning and available for questions. However, in reaction to Covid-19 municipalities must operate temporarily in ways that limit person-to-person interactions. Municipalities should practice social distancing and limit or cease offering non-essential services and events. Limit visitors by providing services online and on the phone, allow bills to be paid at a drop box or behind a window, or provide other means to do business with the municipality without personal contact.
The deadlines for local, state, and federal taxes have been extended to July 15. The legislative due date of April 1 to submit the DCED Annual Audit and Financial Report has not changed at present and a decision will be forthcoming. We understand you are facing stressful and extraordinary times, and DCED encourages municipalities to do their best to meet deadlines.
Yes. DCED staff are teleworking and available. This means staff can take calls and answer questions but may not attend in-person meetings. Please contact the Center for Local Government Services with questions and concerns at 888.223.6837 OR ra-dcedclgs@pa.gov.
Yes. Act 10 of 2020, recently signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf, directs that the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) coordinate the filing extension and payment deadlines of the Local Earned Income Tax so that they coincide with State filing extensions.
INDIVIDUALS: With the enactment of Act 10 of 2020, the filing deadline for 2019 Individual Earned Income Tax Returns in Pennsylvania has been extended to July 15, 2020. This means taxpayers will have an additional 90 days to file from the original deadline of April 15.
This extension applies to both 2019 individual tax returns and payments as well as estimated payments for the 1st quarter of 2020. Additionally, all penalties and interest will be waived on 2019 earned income tax payments through the new deadline of July 15, 2020.
Some localities and collection agencies have already announced extensions for local earned income tax returns – the enactment of Act 10 now makes this universal to ALL municipalities in the Commonwealth.
EMPLOYERS: Currently, there are no extensions for Employer 1st quarter 2020 earned income tax returns or payment of the 1st quarter 2020 tax withheld from employees – that deadline remains April 30.
Continuity of government is essential but must be conducted differently in these extraordinary times:
- Consider live-streaming meetings through Facebook Live, Skype, GoToMeeting, or other platforms. Some providers are currently offering free service.
- To encourage less in-person attendance, provide alternative means for public comment, such as an email address where comments may be submitted in advance or a call-in number.
The Sunshine Act is clear that public meetings should be held at public buildings with open public participation whenever possible. If an official emergency declaration prevents that from happening, a meeting via teleconference, webinar, or other electronic method that allows for two-way communication is permissible in most circumstances. (Some agencies may be governed by laws which add requirements beyond those included in the Sunshine Act.)
However, any agency taking that step must provide a reasonably accessible method for the public to participate and comment pursuant to Section 710.1 of the Sunshine Act. That method should be clearly explained to the public in advance of and during the meeting. Further, the Office of Open Records strongly recommends that any agency holding such a meeting record the meeting and proactively make the recording available (preferably online) so that a full and complete record of the meeting is available to the public.
To help navigate through the potential financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Pennsylvania businesses, both the state and federal government are offering loans to help offset the revenue lost. Financing programs are available for businesses affected by COVID-19. We recommend that you continue to routinely check back on this webpage as additional information is added.
Be in contact with your county emergency coordinator and your regional health department for specific recommendations for your community.
The Governor’s Resource Page on Covid-19
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is charged with the Commonwealth’s response and is updating the situation status daily.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Governor’s Center for Local Government Services at 888.223.6837 OR ra-dcedclgs@pa.gov
Municipal officials should be aware that the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health and the Governor continue to carefully monitor this situation and issue frequent updates as the situation develops. Different steps may be needed in communities based on the level of outbreak, and you should remain in contact with your local and county emergency management coordinators.
Local political units are not required to suspend in-person physical operations but should curtail in-person operations to the extent practicable and follow COVID-19 mitigation guidance provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the CDC. All decisions should appropriately balance public safety while ensuring the continued delivery of critical infrastructure services and functions.
The identified sectors in the list of life-sustaining businesses is not intended to be an authoritative or exhaustive list of critical infrastructure sectors and functions that should continue during the COVID-19 response. State and local officials should use best judgment in exercising their authority and issuing implementation directives and guidance. Visit the Frequently Asked Questions related to the Governor’s Executive Order mandating the closures for COVID-19. Similarly, critical infrastructure industry partners must use best judgment, informed by the list and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Critical Infrastructure Guidance, to ensure continued operations of critical infrastructure services and functions. All such decisions should appropriately balance public health and safety while ensuring the continued delivery of critical infrastructure services and functions.
Construction activities not clearly authorized under the DHS Guidance should suspend general operations but may maintain specific limited operations necessary to ensure compliance with federal, state, or local regulatory requirements.
Construction must be suspended except to the extent necessary to stabilize the site, temporarily prevent weather damage and make emergency repairs. Additionally, residential construction projects that have been issued a final occupancy permit may continue to completion (i.e., may complete “punch-list” items discovered after the certificate of occupancy has been issued). No new construction or non-emergency rehabilitation projects may be started. Projects that have received an exemption from the Governor’s and Secretary’s orders may continue to the extent specified in the exemption request.
Beginning May 1, 2020, construction is permitted as authorized by the Governor’s and Secretary of Health’s April 23, 2020 amendments to their business closure orders and in strict compliance with the Administration’s guidance. New construction guidance has been issued for all construction businesses and employees to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. View the Construction Guidance FAQs for any additional questions that you may have.
The PA Department of Agriculture’s jurisdiction of county fairs is around meeting requirements in statute to qualify for reimbursement from the Fair Fund. Ultimately, it is the fair board’s decision to operate or not for the year. The Department of Agriculture is preparing a checklist to serve as a guide for fair boards.