PA Department of Community & Economic Development COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Important Status Updates
As the spread of the COVID-19 virus continues, we promised to communicate relevant and timely updates on what our sibling agencies are doing as it affects businesses, local governments, and communities. While the plan for long-term recovery is actively being worked on, we are pleased to share the list below of important updates that have been recently changed or modified from their previous status.
We are updating our COVID-9 Resources webpage regularly and suggest you visit often.
Stay-at-Home Guidance
To continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Governor Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced all 67 Pennsylvania counties will be under a stay-at-home order until May 8. The Department of Health has also issued guidance that if you must travel to a life-sustaining business, that you wear a mask in public to help mitigate the virus spread.
Pennsylvania Schools
Governor Wolf has extended the school closure for the remainder of the academic year. This applies to all public K-12 schools, brick and mortar and cyber charter schools, private and parochial schools, career and technical centers, and intermediate units. Colleges and universities may not resume in-person instruction or reopen their physical locations until the governor permits them to open or lifts the closure of non-life-sustaining businesses. Students and families can continue to pick up meals at designated sites.
Pennsylvania Courts
By order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, all PA Courts (including all county courthouses, magisterial district courts, and appellate courts) are closed until April 30. The order also halts all eviction hearings, specifically stating that “no officer, official, or other person employed by the Pennsylvania Judiciary at any level shall effectuate an eviction, ejectment, or other displacement from a residence based upon the failure to make a monetary payment.” This includes evictions due to mortgage foreclosures, unpaid taxes and late rent. Deadline for filing a civil case has not been extended.
PennDOT License Renewals
In response to COVID-19, PennDOT has implemented a variety of operational changes. For the license renewals listed below with scheduled expirations between March 16th through April 30th, the new expiration date has been extended until May 31st.
- Vehicle Registrations, safety inspections, and emissions inspections
- Driver Licenses (CDL & Non-CDL), Photo ID, & Learner’s Permits
- Persons with Disabilities Placard
Vehicle registrations may be renewed online at any time. Driver licenses and photo ID cards may also be renewed online at any time.
Correction Facilities/Nursing Homes
A no-visitor policy for correctional facilities and nursing homes has been implemented and will be evaluated for other facilities.
Pennsylvania Primary Election
The 2020 PA Primary Election has been rescheduled from April 28 to June 2. Polls will open from 7AM to 8PM. Registered voters who have signed up for either mail-in or absentee ballots do not need to file new applications despite the change in the primary election date.
Federal, State, and Local Tax Returns
Pennsylvania residents now have until July 15th, 2020 to file their state, federal and local tax returns. The PA Department of Revenue will also waive penalties and interest on 2019 personal income tax payments through the new deadline of July 15, 2020.
Real ID for Pennsylvania
The Department of Homeland Security has postponed Pennsylvania’s enforcement date for Real ID from October 2020 to October 2021. In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, PennDOT has also paused issuing Real IDs throughout the state.