Pennsylvania governor orders K-12 schools closed for 2 weeks starting Monday in an effort to contain virus.

All Catholic schools in the Diocese of Erie will comply with Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s order that all K-12 schools close for the next two weeks.

Erie County

No cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Erie County. Specimens have been collected, but none have come back positive. Decisions to hold events will be left up to organizers in wake of Governor's advisory on large gatherings. Non-essential travel banned for Erie County employees starting Monday. (3/12 - 3 p.m.)

Erie County Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on an ordinance to set aside $50,000 for the Erie community to meet the COVID-19 virus. (3/12 - 4:42 p.m.)

The Pennsylvania Board of Education's evidentiary hearing on Erie County's community college plan scheduled for March 18 at the Blasco Library in Erie has also been postponed. (3/12 - 5:50 p.m.)

All public programs conducted through Millcreek Township are cancelled starting Monday, March 16 at 8 a.m. until further notice in effort to protect residents and workers from COVID-19.

The Erie County Board of Elections has decided to cancel all public voting machine demonstrations scheduled during the Month of March due to concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 Disease. Public demonstrations are scheduled to resume in April.

Erie County Public Library will be closed beginning Saturday, March 14, through Sunday, March 29. Services will be reevaluated at that time. This closure affects all library locations, as well as Bookmobile services. All library programming through the end of March has been canceled.

The Children's Museum will be closed March 14 through March 30.

Local Counties

There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Chautauqua County. Two persons are in Precautionary Quarantine. One met criteria to be tested for COVID-19, and the county Department of Health and Human Services is awaiting those results.

Pennsylvania

There are now 63 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. None have been reported in Erie, Crawford or Warren Counties at this point. 446 persons are under investigation; 205 tests have come back negative, and 183 are pending. (3/15 - 12 p.m.)

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille signed an emergency order prohibiting electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunication and steam utility terminations. The moratorium will remain in place for as long as the Proclamation of Disaster, issued by Gov. Tom Wolf on March 6 related to the Coronavirus, is in effect.

Pennsylvania governor orders schools closed for 2 weeks starting Monday in an effort to contain virus. (3/13 - 3:02 p.m.)

Starting Friday for a period of 14 days, inmate visits at all state correctional institutions in Pennsylvania are cancelled. In addition, all state correctional institutions will perform enhanced screening of all staff, vendors and contracted providers, including contracted chaplains. (3/12 - 7:57 p.m.)

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced effective today, all public programs, events and trainings in state parks and forests will be canceled for the remainder of March and the month of April. With the exception of three state parks in Montgomery County, DCNR facilities throughout the state will remain open at this time. (3/13 - 1:01 p.m.)

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) Executive Director has announced the closure of all of its state-owned historic sites and museums, regardless of location, effective Sunday, March 15 and extending through the end of March to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Voters are reminded if they have concerns about coronavirus and wish not to vote in their polling place during the April 28 primary election, they can instead request a mail-in ballot. Registered Pennsylvania voters can apply online to vote by mail-in ballot for the April 28 primary. The deadline for county election offices to receive applications is 5 p.m. on April 21.

 

Schools

Pennsylvania governor orders K-12 schools closed for 2 weeks starting Monday in an effort to contain virus. All Catholic schools in the Diocese of Erie will comply with order.

The Chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is directing no in-person instruction occur at the state’s 14 universities during the same two-week period the governor has closed all K-12 schools.

Gannon University is suspending face-to-face classes for the rest of the semester starting Monday. Classes will resume through alternative delivery means March 23. Residence halls will be closing March 22. (3/13 - 2:51 p.m.)

Mercyhurst University will transition from in-person classroom instruction to remote instruction March 16-27. The university will remain open in the meantime. Residential students may continue to reside on campus. Residence halls, dining services, and other facilities will be open, although some may operate with different restrictions in place.

Penn State University has decided to move to remote learning for all classes beginning March 16 through April 3 amid the coronavirus outbreak. The university and its campuses, including Behrend, plan to resume in-person classes April 6 at the earliest.

Edinboro University is extending spring break through the week of March 16 due to the coronavirus. During the weeks of March 23 and March 30, classes will resume and will temporarily transition to online delivery. In-person classes are expected to resume in their face-to-face format beginning Monday, April 6.

Child Development Centers, Inc. will not hold Head Start classes Monday at any of its sites in Venango, Crawford and Erie counties as it takes time to further evaluate the latest developments regarding the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). At this time, this closure is only effective for Monday, March 16. With the exception of Head Start, all other programs will operate on a normal schedule Monday and the centers will remain open. (3/13 - 4:10 p.m.)

SAT scheduled for March 14 at Cathedral Prep has been canceled due to the statewide closure of all schools. (3/13 - 3:46 p.m.)

Event impacts

 

Charities for Children Adult Bowling Tournament original date of Sunday March 29 has been postponed until Sunday May 3, 2020 (3/15-11:30 a.m.)

Spartansburg Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry is cancelled until further notice (3/15 -9:30 a.m.)

PA State 8-Ball Tournament: With advice from the Sports Commission, Health Department, Convention Authority and an Executive Order by the County Executive stating that no non-listed player or guest my enter the Convention Center, the Pennsylvania Junior State Championships that were scheduled for Sunday, March 15, are postponed. A & D teams will NOT be able to bring a guest into the Convention Center Saturday. That’s according to the PA 8-Ball Tournament Director.

  • At this time, tournament organizers have decided to host the PA State 8-Ball Tournament as planned. We are continuing to monitor the situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus, and will work with those involved to comply and make necessary changes as they are mandated by local and state governments. (3/13 - 9:46 a.m.)

Erie's St. Patrick's Day Parade scheduled for Saturday has been cancelled. Organizers cited Gov. Wolf's request to cancel or postpone all events or gatherings of 250 people or more. (3/12 - 3 p.m.)

Judith's Jig 5K & St. Patrick's Day Parade in Meadville cancelled. City Manager Andy Walker took action to formally withdraw public assembly permits issued under his signature for Saturday’s events. (3/12 - 4 p.m.)

St. Luke Church is cancelling the remaining of its Lenten fish dinners that were scheduled for March 13 and 20. (3/12 - 7:03 p.m.)

Erie Playhouse cancels premiere weekend performances of Something Rotten! March 20 and 21. Youtheatre classes are postponed. Outreach programming will continue at the discretion of the facilitator and the facility they are visiting. (3/12 - 2:08 p.m.)

Erie Philharmonic postpones March 21 performance, Rodgers and Hammerstein in Concert, to a TBD date in June at the Erie Insurance Arena. The decision was made "out of an abundance of caution." (3/12 - 2:02 p.m.)

Jefferson Educational Society will suspend its live-audience public events effective immediately as it monitors the spread of coronavirus. It will instead live broadcast the events on its Facebook page. (3/12 - 5:08 p.m.)

Shredding for Shriners event previously scheduled for Saturday, April 18 has been postponed until further notice. (3/13 - 9:38 a.m.)

Epilepsy Project’s Purse Bingo at Perry Highway Hose Sunday, March 15 has been postponed until June 7 (same time). (3/12)

State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro is cancelling Tuesday’s Unclaimed Property Treasury Hunt in accordance with recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and the Pa. Department of Health. (3/13 - 11:15 a.m.)

Senator Dan Laughlin announced today that his Veterans Resource Expo scheduled for April 9 has been canceled due to ongoing concerns regarding the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. (3/13 - 2:37 p.m.)

Northwest Arena is officially postponing the Grapes & Hops Festival scheduled for March 21. A makeup date of April 25 is the planned new date.

Asbury Woods has decided to cancel its community programming through March 30. At this point the Nature Center will remain open regular hours with extra cleaning and disinfecting. The trails remain open dawn to dusk each day.

St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Cambridge Springs has canceled bingo, which is scheduled the first, third and fifth Mondays of each month, until further notice due to COVID-19.

Shiloh Baptist Church: Sunday school canceled; 11 a.m. service open but anyone over 60 or with health issues is asked to use discretion.

Child and Day Cares

The YMCA of Greater Erie will offer uninterrupted childcare for enrolled children at alternate YMCA childcare locations despite the state school closures:

  • Wattsburg Elementary children will attend at the Eastside Family Y
  • Northwestern Elementary children will attend at the County Y
  • Fairview Elementary children will attend at YMCA Camp Sherwin
  • Elk Valley Elementary children will attend at YMCA Camp Sherwin
  • Klein Elementary children will attend at the Eastside Family Y
  • Perry Elementary children will attend at the Glenwood Y
  • McKean Elementary children will attend at either the County Y or the Y’s program at Summit United Methodist Church

The Meadville Family YMCA will remain open until further notice in an effort to support both the City of Meadville and Crawford County communities during the current national and state declarations of emergency concerning the spread of COVID-19. Parents of children already enrolled in the School-Age Enrichment program are to drop-off their children at the Downtown YMCA at 356 Chestnut Street beginning on Monday, March 15. Children will be encouraged to pack a lunch, swimsuit, and a towel for the day. The program will be open Monday thru Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pricing for the all-day care will be $25 per day. There are no changes taking place at the Early Learning Academies located at both the Downtown and Vernon branches.

Churches and worship

Several churches are canceling worship services this weekend: Erie First Assembly, First Alliance Church, Grace Church and McLane Church. Some services will be moved online. (3/13 - 9:13 a.m.)

  • McLane Church - Sunday, 3/15 at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 3/21 at 6 p.m. | Watch online
  • First Alliance Church - Sermon posted Sunday morning on YouTube
  • Grace Church - Watch online

Erie Bishop dispenses the faithful of the Diocese of Erie from the obligation to attend Sunday mass due to COVID-19. (3/12 - 4:21 p.m.)

Millcreek Community Church, Harborcreek Community Church and Edinboro Community Church will be closed through the end of March. (3/13 - 10:56 a.m.)

Wayside Presbyterian Church has made the decision to cancel worship Sunday, March 15 and dinner Wednesday, March 18. It will make further decisions on a weekly basis amid health concerns. (3/13 - 11:35 a.m.)

Episcopal Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York suspends Sunday worship and other diocesan events effective immediately in effort to slow spread of COVID-19. (3/13 - 11:34 a.m.)

Sunday Services at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (EPC) are canceled until Sunday, April 5. (3/13 - 2:04 p.m.)

Services at New Hope and Westminster Presbyterian Churches canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (3/13 - 3:43 p.m.)

Fellowship Cafe of Lakewood United Methodist Church has been cancelled for March 14. (3/14 - 11:04 a.m.)

Wayne Park Baptist Church will be closed through March 15. (3/14- 5:00 p.m.)

Sports

Remainder of the Erie Otters 2019-20 season on hold until further notice after the Canadian Hockey League pauses all league activity. (3/12 - 4:19 p.m.)

Erie Bayhawks games halted due to NBA, NBA G League season suspensions.

Gannon women's basketball game against California University canceled Friday.

Mercyhurst men's basketball game against West Liberty canceled Friday.

Merychurst women's hockey game at Cornell canceled Saturday.

Until further notice, spectators will not be permitted at any contests or games hosted on Mercyhurst University’s campus. In addition, all travel for non-traditional season competitions and exhibitions will be canceled. All travel for non-traditional season competitions and exhibitions will be canceled. (3/12 - 1:21 p.m.)

More

Independence Court of Erie and Western Reserve Healthcare & Rehab Center have implemented lockdowns, limiting visitation and restricting access to protect residents. (3/12)

All programs and events at the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation/E.F. Smith Quality of Life Learning Center are cancelled through March 25. This shut down is concurrent with the closing of schools across the state and may be extended. In addition, the building will undergo a scheduled full refurbishment starting March 30. Office operations and adult classes will be temporarily relocated for at least 6-8 weeks.

Buffalo Zoo is temporarily closing Saturday, March 14 through Saturday, March 28. (3/13 - 11:46 a.m.)

National/International

Italian officials say new virus cases jump 20% to more than 21,000. (3/14 - 1:36 p.m.)

Trump says he's considering new restrictions on domestic travel, will expand European travel ban to UK, Ireland. (3/14 - 12:36 p.m.)

Trump says he took coronavirus test Friday night, had temperature taken Saturday, defends shaking hands with people. (3/14 - 12:35 p.m.)

White House now conducting temperature checks on anyone in close contact with Trump, Pence. (3/14 - 11:42 a.m.)

New York reports first death from new coronavirus, an 82-year-old woman who had emphysema. (3/14 - 10:23 a.m.)

Media reports: Spain to implement nationwide lockdown as coronavirus infections spike. (3/14 - 9:21 a.m.)

Iran state TV says coronavirus has killed another 97 people, pushing death toll to 611 amid 12,729 confirmed cases. (3/14 - 6:25 a.m.)

House passes bipartisan package to provide relief to Americans coping with coronavirus pandemic. (3/13 - 12:53 a.m.)

Colombia's president orders border with Venezuela closed as coronavirus containment measure. (3/13 - 12:07 a.m.)

Trump tweets that 4 big cruise industry companies agree to suspend cruises from US for 30 days. (3/13 - 6:33 p.m.)

Speaker Nancy Pelosi says deal reached with Trump administration on emergency aid package for coronavirus. (3/13 - 6:09 p.m.)

AP source: Second person who was at Mar-a-Lago with President Trump over weekend tests positive for coronavirus. (3/13 - 6:01 p.m.)

President Trump declares national emergency to bolster funding for fighting virus outbreak. (3/13 - 3:34 p.m.)

  • Trump announces public-private partnership to increase national coronavirus testing capabilities. (3/13 - 3:39 p.m.)
  • Trump waives interest on federally owned student loans in effort to ease financial impact of virus outbreak. (3/13 - 3:56 p.m.)
  • Trump says US will prop up energy markets by buying oil to fill strategic petroleum reserve 'right up to the top.' (3/13 - 3:57 p.m.)
  • Trump says 'I don't take responsibility at all' for slow rollout of virus testing. (3/13 - 4:13 p.m.)
  • Trump says he will 'most likely' be tested for new virus 'fairly soon,' but says he has 'no symptoms.' (3/13 - 4:37 p.m.)

Officials: Visits to inmates at all 122 federal prisons will be halted for 30 days in response to coronavirus. (3/13 - 1:32 p.m.)

Italy's coronavirus infections soar by more than 2,500 and virus-related deaths hit biggest single-day jump of 250. (3/13 - 1:23 p.m.)

Louisiana moves to postpone its presidential primary because of the coronavirus pandemic; would be 1st state to do so. (3/13 - 12:50 p.m)

Officials: Los Angeles Unified School District and San Diego schools to close over coronavirus threat. (3/13 - 12:10 p.m.)

World Health Organization chief says Europe now the epicenter of the world's coronavirus pandemic. (3/13 - 12:06 p.m.)

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro tests negative for new coronavirus, according to his official Facebook profile. (3/13 - 11:47 a.m.)

NASCAR postpones next two races in Atlanta and Miami. IndyCar cancels next four races. (3/13 - 11:45 a.m.)

Spain to declare state of emergency, prime minister says he will mobilize the military to contain new virus cases. (3/13 - 10:33 a.m.)

Canadian Parliament shuts for at least five weeks to help ensure lawmakers do not spread new virus. (3/13 - 10:33 a.m.)

Organizers postpone the Boston Marathon until Sept. 14 because of rising concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. (3/13 - 10:24 a.m.)

Augusta National says next month's Masters golf tournament is postponed. (3/13 - 10:02 a.m.)

Stocks open sharply higher on Wall Street a day after market's worst fall since 1987; Dow surges 1,200 points, or 5.8%. (3/13 - 9:31 a.m.)

Formula One races in Bahrain and Vietnam postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. (3/13 - 8:42 a.m.)

English soccer suspends games until April 3 because of coronavirus outbreak. (3/13 - 7:10 a.m.)

Iran state TV says coronavirus has killed another 85 people, pushing death toll to 514 amid 11,364 confirmed cases. (3/13 - 7:05 a.m.)

The PGA Tour has decided to scrap the rest of The Players Championship and shut down its other tournaments three weeks. (3/12 - 9:59 p.m.)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's wife has tested positive for the new coronavirus. (3/12 - 9:53 p.m.)

Formula One organizers cancel Australian Grand Prix amid concern over spreading coronavirus. (3/12 - 7:10 p.m.)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has tested positive for COVID-19, club says. (3/12 - 6:21 p.m.)

Penn State cancels annual Blue-White game scheduled for April. (3/12)

Formula One organizers cancel Australian Grand Prix amid concern over spreading coronavirus. (3/12 - 7:10 p.m.)

Disneyland says it's closing its California parks starting Saturday over coronavirus concerns. (3/12 - 4:41 p.m.)

Stocks plummet again as travel bans and virus-related shutdowns escalate; Dow loses more than 2,300 points, or 10%. (3/12 - 4 p.m.)

NCAA cancels men's and women's Division I basketball tournaments amid coronavirus fears. (3/12 - 4:19 p.m.)

ACC, Pac-12, Big Ten, SEC, other conferences have canceled basketball tournaments because of the coronavirus. (3/12 - 12:27 p.m.)

Major League Baseball delays opening day by at least 2 weeks, suspends spring training schedule. (3/12 - 3:11 p.m.)

National Hockey League suspending its season, hopes to resume at play at later date. (3/12 - 1:42 p.m.)

Stocks plummet again as travel bans and virus-related shutdowns escalate; Dow loses more than 2,300 points, or 10%. (3/12 - 4:01 p.m.)

Italy's coronavirus death toll tops 1,000 as Europe becomes new center of the world's pandemic. (3/12 - 1:23 p.m.)

Brazilian presidency says senior official who met President Trump on March 7 has tested positive for the new coronavirus. (3/12 - 12:35 p.m.)

Manchester City's Champions League match against Real Madrid postponed because of coronavirus. (3/12 - 12:06 p.m.)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is self-isolating at home after wife exhibits flu-like symptoms. (3/12 - 12:03 p.m.)

Stocks reopen for trading after 15-minute trading halt; Dow down 8% as fears of economic damage from pandemic deepen. (3/12 - 9:52 a.m.)

Congress shutting US Capitol, House and Senate office buildings to public until April 1 in reaction to coronavirus. (3/12 - 9:43 a.m.)

Stock trading halted on Wall Street after market plunge; S&P 500 falls 7%; trading resumes in 15 minutes. (3/12 - 9:38 a.m.)

Stocks sink after Trump travel ban, underwhelming economic measures add to fears about virus impact; Dow drops 1,600. (3/12 - 9:31 a.m.)

Princess Cruises to suspend global operations through May 10 because of coronavirus. (3/12 - 9:13 a.m.)

Real Madrid soccer team in quarantine after basketball player for club tests positive for coronavirus. (3/12 - 7:12 a.m.)