The Chester County Commissioners have approved a Declaration of Disaster Emergency, effective from Dec. 1 for 90 days.

The Declaration is pursuant to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code and is “in response to the significant, increased health, emergency, and safety concerns presented by the coronavirus.”

By approving and signing the Declaration of Disaster Emergency, the Commissioners are taking proactive steps in emergency management to mitigate and reduce the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, should it become necessary.

The resolution authorizes the Chester County Department of Emergency Services, under the leadership of Director Mike Murphy, to activate any response and recovery measures and coordinate emergency response activities.

The Commissioners enacted a similar emergency disaster declaration at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 13, which remained in effect until June 23.