On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, Chambersburg Borough Council President Alice Elia and Mayor Walt Bietsch clarified to residents and businesses of the Borough of Chambersburg that Franklin County remains under the Red Phase Stay At Home Order of May.
Borough Council President Alice Elia stated, “State health data shows that zip code 17201, largely occupied by the Borough of Chambersburg, accounts for nearly half of the COVID-19 cases in Franklin County (health.pa.gov). The Governor’s task force reviews data regularly, and status is subject to change, but, for now, Franklin County and the Borough of Chambersburg are under Stay At Home orders through June 4. “
Pennsylvania Governor Wolf recently clarified consequences for violating Red Phase Stay At Home orders. Small business owners who open prematurely might be subject to loss of insurance coverages as well as state licensures. The county itself, and possibly the municipalities and organizations within it, may lose discretionary funds from the CARES Act. Mayor Walt Bietsch said, “The Chambersburg Police Department will continue its current practice of educating and informing business owners who operate in violation of current Stay At Home orders.” He added, “The economic toll of this pandemic is unprecedented. However, we risk compromising our economic recovery if non-eligible businesses reopen in violation of state orders.”
Both Elia and Bietsch endorsed and requested residents follow public health recommendations.
Read both letters below.