July 3, 2020
 
Dear Kennett Township Residents and Business Owners,
 
Yesterday, July 1, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf announced a new order signed by Secretary of Health, Rachel Levine, MD that expands mask-wearing. The order states that:

“Person-to-person spread does continue however, and with the reopening, the Commonwealth is beginning to see increases in new cases. Mindful of the need to slow this increase, in order to avoid the types of stringent Commonwealth-wide mitigation strategies that were discontinued a short time ago, and in order to avoid the resurgence that is overwhelming the health care systems and public health systems in other states, I am ordering that all persons in the Commonwealth wear face coverings in accordance with this Order. Face coverings can decrease the spread of respiratory droplets from people.”

 
While we have undoubtedly heard this before, I wanted to personally urge you to adhere to this order. No one likes wearing a mask. It is not fun or comfortable and serves as a constant reminder how far away from “normal” our lives are at the moment. However, if we all do our part now, I am confident that we can keep Kennett COVID case numbers low. I also encourage you to share this resolve to wear your mask with friends and loved ones. This is not something we can accomplish on our own; we need everyone to help.
 
The order specifically spells out that individuals are required to wear a face covering if they are:

1. outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet from individuals who are not members of their household;

2. in any indoor location where members of the public are generally permitted;

3. waiting for, riding on, driving, or operating public transportation or paratransit or while in a taxi, private car service or ride-sharing vehicle;

4. obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank; or

5. engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when interacting in-person with any member of the public, working in any space visited by members of the public, working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others, working in or walking through common areas, or in any room or enclosed area where other people, except for members of the person's own household or residence, are present when unable to physically distance.

The order also lists exceptions and other information. I encourage you to read the full order HERE.
 
Thank you for taking the time to read this and on behalf of the Township Board of Supervisors, staff and myself, I’d like to wish you all a happy, safe, mask-wearing Independence Day!
 
Eden R. Ratliff
Township Manager
Kennett.pa.us