Harrisburg, PA – In response to COVID-19, the Department of General Services announced that effective Friday, March 13, 2020, all public events in the Capitol Complex and Governor's Residence will be canceled until further notice. All operations of the Governor's Office and General Assembly will continue, but access to the Capitol Complex will be limited to employees and people with badge keycard credentials.
The cancellation of events applies to all interior and exterior venues in the Capitol Complex and will affect public gatherings such as rallies, school or group tours, choir performances and receptions.
The Capitol Complex includes the Main Capitol Rotunda, East Wing Rotunda, Keystone Building Atrium, Forum Auditorium and The State Museum of Pennsylvania.
In addition, we have received word that the Pennsylvania Department of Education was granted waiver approval from the federal government that allows schools closed due to the coronavirus to serve meals to students through the National School Lunch Program. The meals would be provided in a non-congregate setting.
Gov. Wolf announced Friday that all K-12 Pennsylvania schools will be closed for 10 business days effective Monday, March 16. No school district will be penalized if it fails to meet the 180 day or school hours requirements.
The Department of Education will work with intermediate units and other stakeholders to support school districts with any continuity of learning plans they may be pursuing.
Here are some helpful hints:
Follow these steps if you are sick:
1. Call your primary care physician.
2. Self-contain, stay home and away from others to help stop the spread.
3. Drink plenty of fluids.