Pittsburgh council extends coronavirus disaster declaration another week

Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a seven-day extension of Mayor Bill Peduto’s coronavirus disaster declaration.

The declaration is now set to expire May 12. Its provisions include limits on public gatherings and permission for the city to bypass competitive bidding regulations.

Peduto declared a state of emergency on March 13, along with an executive order that banned public gatherings of more than 250 people and permitted the city to take emergency steps to secure contracts and funding during the coronavirus pandemic. The mayor later scaled back public gatherings to a maximum 50 people.

“As everyone knows we’re still in the covid crisis,” said Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle, who introduced the measure. “In order to have the city function best, we need to extend this emergency declaration.”

Council waived its rules of procedure, allowing a vote on the same day the resolution was proposed.

Members urged people to practice social distancing and wear facial masks while in public.

“Even though we will probably be moving toward yellow soon, it’s really important now to continue social distancing and continue being safe. Because if not, we will have an uptick in covid-related infections and covid-related deaths,” said Councilman Ricky Burgess. “It is time now to even double down on our social distancing, washing hands and being careful.”

Gov. Tom Wolf last week announced that he would permit an easing of covid-19 restrictions in two dozen counties, mainly in the Northwest and North-Central parts of the state. Some businesses in those counties will be permitted to reopen on Friday as they move into a “yellow phase” of the state’s pandemic response.

The rest of the state remains in the “red phase,” observing business closures and stay-at-home orders. Local leaders in Southwestern Pennsylvania predict an easing of restrictions soon as covid-19 cases and deaths decline.