COVID-19
Senate Democrats introduce legislative solutions for working families during the COVID-19 outbreak and business closures.
Continue below to view legislation, stay up-to-date on the latest news, find important resources and more.
Restaurant & Tavern COVID-19 Assistance
Senators Jim Brewster & Pam Iovino Propose $100 Million COVID-19 Grant Program & Financial Relief Package for PA Restaurants & Taverns
Allegheny County, PA – July 23, 2020 – Today, State Senators Jim Brewster and Pam Iovino announced a comprehensive proposal to provide emergency relief to Pennsylvania’s restaurants and taverns, which have seen significant financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdown. The seven-point plan includes a $100 million grant program to retail liquor licensees using federal CARES Act funds, as well as a suite of policy changes to financially benefit these struggling businesses.
“Restaurants and taverns are not only favorite neighborhood destinations and community staples, they are the job creators and the cornerstone of vibrant main streets across Pennsylvania, representing the third-largest sector of the state’s economy – and they are in dire need of assistance,” said Senator Iovino (D – Allegheny & Washington). “As these small business owners struggle to determine if they can hang on, they need to know that there are lifelines available to them. This plan would direct financial relief to this specific retail sector and will help position our Commonwealth for a full and lasting economic recovery.”
“Restaurants, bars and the hospitality industry has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and we have to provide relief,” said Senator Brewster (D – Allegheny & Westmoreland). “Too many bars and restaurants are imperiled, cannot survive under strict mitigation, or have closed their doors putting men and women out of work. We have an obligation and responsibility to move aggressively and provide help now. The assistance package we are offering today is critical for bars and restaurants and their employees.”

Pennsylvania Needs a Just Recovery


The Pennsylvania Senate & House Democratic Caucuses joined workers for virtual press events “based” across the state to highlight that Pennsylvania needs a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and justice for black lives. These events were able to bring together members of both legislative chambers to discuss the issues that constituents in their regions have brought to them as the major areas that they want to see change and assistance in as we create our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out the events below.
Southeastern PA
Hosted by Senator Muth, Senator Santarsiero, Representative Bradford, Representative Comitta and Representative Otten
Allegheny
Hosted by Senator Costa, Represenative Dermody, Represenative Gainey, Represenative Davis and Represenative Miller
Lehigh / Northeastern PA
Hosted by Represenative Madden, Represenative Pashinski and Represenative Schlossberg
Southeastern PA (Delco)
Hosted by Senator Kearney, Represenative McClinton and Represenative Krueger
June 18 • 10 am
Location: Southeastern PA
Hosted by Senator Muth, Senator Santarsiero, Representative Bradford, Representative Comitta and Representative Otten
Meeting ID: 819 3979 1362
Password: 264672489
June 18 • 11:00 AM
Location: Philadelphia
Hosted by Represenative Harris, Represenative Dawkins and Represenative Rabb
Meeting ID: 976 0394 1503
Password: 075347
June 18 • 2:00 PM
Location: Allegheny
Hosted by Senator Costa, Represenative Dermody, Represenative Gainey, Represenative Davis and Represenative Miller
Meeting ID: 868 9581 3709
Password: 664954553
June 18 • 2:00 PM
Location: Lehigh / Northeastern PA
Hosted by Represenative Madden, Represenative Pashinski and Represenative Schlossberg
Meeting ID: 824 5670 0008
Password: 026015692
June 18 • 3:00 PM
Location: Southeastern PA (Delco)
Hosted by Senator Kearney, Represenative McClinton and Represenative Krueger
Meeting ID: 846 2996 9103
Password: 917287918
COVID-19 Response Priorities
Healthcare System and Protecting Front Line Workers
We are facing unprecedented challenges as we fight the spread of COVID-19. As the country and the world institute policies and procedures on how to keep our communities safe, our front-line workers continue to operate in dangerous working conditions on a daily basis. Workers in healthcare facilities, public assistance workers and other direct support professionals, first responders and public safety personnel, transportation employees, and other essential retail staff such as grocery store workers, face increased risk to their health as we rely on them to provide life-sustaining services to our communities.
We must provide front-line workers with the tools necessary for maintaining strong mental and physical health and to mitigate the spread of coronavirus on work sites that are still in physical operation.
Our legislation would do so in several ways:
- Provide emergency funding for safety equipment, including personal protective equipment such as N95 masks, and mental health supports for front line employees;
- Create clear standards for the implementation of containment control plans in healthcare facilities, including emergency standards and accountability;
- Prioritize front-line workers in COVID-19 testing;
- Suspend, or limit, in-person services to the greatest extent possible by shifting to virtual assistance working standards and requiring telemedicine coverage by insurers for public workers classified as essential;
- Require cleaning standards for workplaces that remain open during this crisis to meet or exceed state and federal standards for COVID-19 prevention.
- Require employers to adopt social distancing policies by making available more spaces for employees to take their breaks and meal periods.
- Create the COVID-19 Crisis Fire and EMS grant program to provide an additional, one-time grant to each fire and EMS company agency that has been approved by the PA Emergency Management Agency and the Office of State Fire Commissioner for an annual grant for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
Assistance for Working People and Families
As protective measures are implemented statewide to protect our constituents from Covid-19 we must also act to protect all working people them from economic fallout as a result of this crisis. All working people and families deserve to be protected during this time of crisis.
Our legislation would do so in several ways:
- Emergency paid sick leave for all employees not covered by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
- Extending paid sick leave for an additional 4 days to cover the full two-week quarantine period as the federal bill only covers 10 days.
- The state will cover the additional 1/3 pay rate for those who must take leave to care for a child whose school has closed so employees receive 100% of pay.
- Extend family medical leave to all employees at 100% wage rate starting immediately upon starting leave to cover the unpaid time under the federal bill and then the additional 1/3 pay to fill the gap for 100% pay rate though the term covered by the Family Medical Leave Act.
- Requiring employers to reinstate workers returning from leave.
- Provide a presumption that all workers are eligible for Workers’ Compensation benefits if they contract the Coronavirus in the workplace.
- Ensure that all workers can not be fired for any reason related to the Coronavirus.
- Require protocols for sterilizing workplaces where known cases of COVID-19 have been identified
- Ensure that all contract employees of public agencies, including school districts, are compensated for time off during the emergency order.
- Make it illegal to evict or foreclose on a family suffering unemployment due to an emergency disaster declaration.
- Ensure that students that are not in school receive continuity of education service and are provided online education opportunities.
- Ensure receipt of a stimulus check from the Federal government is not included in consideration of an individuals income for purposes of qualifying for social safety nets.
- Exempt stimulus checks from the Federal government from State and local taxation, making those payments exempt from all levels of taxation.
Economic Stimulus
- Provide additional working capital availability under the newly created COVID Working Capital Program – access to the current program can be found at https://dced.pa.gov/
- Making sure that school districts have the resources necessary to educate and fee students in a safe environment, including address toxic buildings
- Providing resources through PennVest for water utilities, and other utilities, to make infrastructure improvements
- Provide $100 million to childcare centers to cover administrative expenses, including payroll, and fill the loss of tuition payments from families.
- Provide $17 million for Pre-K and Head Start to cover administrative expenses, including payroll to compensate for lost co-payments that would otherwise have been collected.
- Appropriate $50 million to extend Pre-K and Head Start programs into the summer to mitigate early childhood learning losses for students.
- Create a Common Wealth Fund to all for citizens and businesses to make donations to provide essential services to those in need.
PA Senate Democrats Protecting Pennsylvanians During COVID-19
PA Senate Dems COVID-19 Response Legislation
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Our Members at Work
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COVID-19 Resources
Department of Health Resources
LIVE daily briefings from the PA Department of Health:
pacast.com/live/doh or www.governor.pa.gov/live/ or watch on Facebook
Below, please find links to state and federal sites that can help you navigate health recommendations, closures, and resources.
- Economic Assistance:
- Information for PA Employees Impacted by COVID-19
- U.S. Small Business Administration: COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
- Hebrew Free Loan Association’s Coronavirus Financial Bridge Loan Program
- Business Resources from the PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development
- Emergency assistance to service industry employees who are parents
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- PA Chamber of Commerce
- Honeycomb Crowdfunded Small Business Relief Loan
- COVID-19 Loan Programs Quick Guide
- Federal Information
- FAQ – Federal Stimulus Package (U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb)
- Emergency Family & Medical Leave Expansion Act and Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (U.S. Dept. of Labor)
- IRS Information
- CDC
- CDC Coronavirus Self Checker Tool (click on the orange self-checker box in the lower right hand corner of the page)
- U.S. Treasury Department (Paycheck Protection Program and other resources for small businesses)
- Seniors
- Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) Program can help older adult enrollees with prescription refill extensions
- PA Department of Health
- Apply for a mail in ballot for the April 28 primary
- Covid-19 Community Preparedness and Procedures Materials
- COVID-19 & the Census
- School Guidance/Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- COVID-19 Unemployment Compensation Guidance & Resources
- PA Government general guidance and information
- PA 211


Latest State News & Updates
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: Over 1.9 Million Vaccinations To Date
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 20, that there were 2,818 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 911,591. There are 2,061 individuals...
Governor Wolf Signs Fourth Renewal of COVID-19 Disaster Declaration to Aid in Response and Recovery
Today, Governor Tom Wolf signed a fourth renewal of his 90-day Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. The first proclamation was signed on March 6, following the announcement of the first two presumptive positive cases of the virus in...
Wolf Administration Provides Vaccine Update For Long-Term Care Facilities, Expands Rite Aid Partnership To Residential Drug And Alcohol Treatment Facilities
Harrisburg, PA - The Wolf Administration today provided an update on Pennsylvania’s progress administering COVID-19 vaccines to residents and staff of long-term and congregate care facilities eligible in Phase 1A. To date, more than 193,000 residents and staff of...
Department Of Health Announces Week-Eleven Of Regional COVID-19 Testing Extension Across The Commonwealth
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Health today announced beginning Sunday, February 21, regional drive-thru, outdoor walk-up, and indoor walk-in COVID-19 testing clinics will be held in Huntingdon, Lackawanna, Northumberland, Venango, and Westmoreland counties....
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: Nearly 1.9 Million Vaccinations To Date
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 19, there were 2,778 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 908,773. There are 2,124 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that...
First Lady Frances Wolf Hosts Virtual Conversation Addressing Mental Health, Trauma and Equity During COVID-19
First Lady Frances Wolf addressed mental health, trauma, and equity during COVID-19 in a virtual conversation hosted on Facebook. This was the third conversation in a series titled, “The Bigger Picture,” an extension of One Lens: Sharing Our Common...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: More Than 1.8 Million Vaccinations To Date
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 18, there were 3,345 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 905,995. There are 2,174 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that...
Department Of Health Highlights January 2021 Nursing Home Inspection, Sanction Information Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg, PA - In the January 2021 report, Pennsylvania Department of Health nursing home surveyors conducted 712 inspections, including 351 complaint investigations, of 472 separate nursing homes. Of these, 222 were COVID-19-specific investigations. There...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: More Than 1.7 Million Vaccinations To Date
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 17, there were 3,413 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 902,650. There are 2,356 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that...
Department Of Health And Legislative Joint Task Force Take Action To Ensure Pennsylvanians Get Second Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the newly formed joint task force with the legislature today reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that Pennsylvanians will have access to second doses of COVID-19 vaccine within the CDC-recommended...
Pennsylvania COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard Update for Feb. 5-11: Case Increases at 19,621; Percent Positivity at 8.0% and 51 Counties with Substantial Transmission
Governor Tom Wolf and Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System dashboard, highlighting a seven-day case increase of 19,621, a...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: Over 1.5 Million Vaccinations To Date
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 13, there were 4,088 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 892,344. There are 2,548 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: Over 1.5 Million Vaccinations To Date
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 12, there were 3,987 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 888,256. There are 2,687 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that...
Department Of Health Issues COVID-19 Vaccine Order To Help Expedite Vaccine Administration, Improve Accessibility For Seniors
Harrisburg, PA - Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today issued an order directing vaccine providers’ administration of COVID-19 vaccines to ensure that Pennsylvanians are vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible. Governor Tom Wolf signed...
First Lady Frances Wolf Discusses Healing Through Art During COVID-19
First Lady Frances Wolf discussed using art as tool to heal during the COVID-19 pandemic in a virtual conversation hosted on Facebook. This was the second conversation in a series titled, “The Bigger Picture”, an extension of One...
Wolf Administration Updates On Progress Of Vaccinations Of Long-Term Care Facilities And Staff
Harrisburg, PA - The departments of Health (DOH) and Human Services (DHS) today provided an update on Pennsylvania’s progress administering COVID-19 vaccines to residents and staff of long-term and congregate care facilities eligible in Phase 1A via...
Gov. Wolf and Aging Sec. Torres Share Community-Based Solutions Helping Pennsylvanians 65-plus Access the COVID-19 Vaccine
As the state continues to get vaccine to Phase 1A eligible Pennsylvanians, today Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Aging Robert Torres highlighted some of the community-based solutions that are working to help Pennsylvanians 65-plus access the COVID-19 vaccine. “We...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: Nearly 1.5 Million Vaccinations To Date
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 11, there were 3,978 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 884,269. There are 2,789 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that...
Department Of Health Announces Week-Ten Of Regional COVID-19 Testing Extension Across The Commonwealth
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Health today announced beginning Saturday, February 13, regional drive-thru, outdoor walk-up, and indoor walk-in COVID-19 testing clinics will be held in Berks, Indiana, Lackawanna, Lawrence, and Lebanon counties. The counties...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: More Than 1.4 Million Vaccinations To Date
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 10, there were 3,378 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 880,291. There are 2,890 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that...
Department Of Health Launches “Your Turn” Vaccine Eligibility Tool To Aid In Vaccination Process Across Commonwealth
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today launched a new tool called Your Turn to help Pennsylvanians understand where they fall in the vaccine prioritization effort and to be alerted when it is their turn to schedule an appointment...
FAQ’s
During the past few weeks, the PA Senate Democrats have hosted dozens of virtual town halls to provide information, build community and answer question. We wanted to share a few of the most frequently asked questions related to COVID-19.
STAY CALM. STAY SAFE. STAY HOME.
















