CITY OF BETHLEHEM

CITY HALL: Bethlehem City Hall and the city’s service center will remain open, but as much business as possible should be conducted via mail, email, online by visiting www.bethlehem-pa.gov and by phone at 610- 865-7000.

DROP OFF: There will be a drop-off area for customers on the first floor of city hall to handle all inquiries, permit applications and to accept payments. Contractors seeking permits and plan submissions may drop off plans during normal office hours, Monday through Friday. There is a drop box outside city hall to make bill payments.

CLOSED FACILITIES: The following city facilities will be closed: Bethlehem Golf Course, the Bethlehem Recycling Center, the Charles Brown Ice House, Illick’s Mill, Skate Plaza and all bathroom facilities at public parks. The Clubhouse Grille is open for take-out business.

POLICE: Residents who need access to the police cepartment may enter through the garage entrance.

RECYCLING: Although the Recycling Center remains closed until further notice, curbside recycling services will be running normal operations.

MEETINGS: All city of Bethlehem public meetings are canceled through April 3, at which time the situation will be reevaluated. If additional cancellations are needed, notice will be provided once a determination is made.

Monitor the city’s website at www.bethlehem-pa.gov and on social media for additional information and updates on COVID-19.

BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOLS CLOSED: Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday that the closure of schools in Pennsylvania will be extended to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Schools will remain closed through at least April 6, according to the Department of Education. However, officials said the closure could be extended beyond that date, if necessary.

BAGGED MEALS: Bethlehem Area School DIstrict’s Emergency Food Distribution, in conjunction with Aramark, has made available free bagged breakfasts and lunches to BASD students, including charter school and parochial students, through age 18. Children must be present for pickups. Meals are available through March 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Broughal, East Hills, Nitschmann, Northeast, Calypso, Fountain Hill, Marvine and Lynnfield. BackPack Pals have priority and may pick their bags up at Broughal, East Hills, Northeast and Lynnfield.

On March 17, more than 1,000 meals were distributed. For information, menus and addresses, visit the district website.

SCHOOL BOARD: The meeting at 7 p.m. March 23, has been moved to the Education Center (1516 Sycamore Street, Bethlehem). The agenda is posted at BoardDocs (https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/beth/Board.nsf); updates will be accessible by clicking the red circle with the exclamation point on the district calendar page (https://www.basdschools.org/calendars#calendar1/20200320/month).

COMMITTEE MEETINGS: The March 30 budget workshop and the April committee meetings are tentative; information will be updated online as the situation changes (https://www.basdschools.org/calendars#calendar1/20200320/month).

SCHOOL BUILDINGS: School buildings are closed through March 27 by Governor Wolf’s order; a longer closure is possible. Playgrounds have been officially closed. The Education Center at 1516 Sycamore St. was open for the 7 p.m. board meeting March 23, but closed at all other times until further notice.

ACADEMIC INFORMATION FOR PARENTS: Please visit your child’s school’s website for information accessing literacy and other resources during this initial 10-day closure, and in the event of an extended closure. Students are not responsible for assignments during the closure through March 27, but are encouraged to keep their skills sharp by completing the recommended work posted on school websites. If the closure is extended beyond March 27, students will be assigned work to complete.

Please stay up-to-date by continuing to visit the district website: www.BASDschools.org.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP

TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BUILDING: Open Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, non-employees will not be permitted beyond the lobby area. Payments will be accepted at the window and other items can be left in the lobby. If additional information is needed, township staff will contact you. Payments made by check can be dropped in the drop box, located to the right of the municipal building meeting entrance, 24 hours a day.

TOWNSHIP PUBLIC WORKS: Continues to perform essential duties with social distancing.

ZONING HEARING BOARD: The meeting of March 26 - TBD.

OTHER COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS & BOARDS: All meetings canceled.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY CENTER: Closed with all indoor and outdoor programming through April 30, 2020 canceled or postponed.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP PARKS, OPEN SPACE & RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT: Our outdoor facilities remain open. However, we are not sanitizing the apparatus and playground equipment. We ask that you use common sense if bringing children to our parks and not congregating in groups of five or more as per CDC guidance.

FIRE & EMS: Continues to respond to all situations and calls.

POLICE: Continues to handle all emergency and non-emergency calls.

RESIDENTIAL WASTE & RECYCLING: Continues as scheduled.

MUNICIPAL COOPERATION: Township staff continues to work with other townships and boroughs in Northampton County to share ideas and provide assistance as needed.

If you have any questions, please call the township office at 610-866-1140.

LEHIGH COUNTY

SENIOR CENTERS: Lehigh County wants to assure all residents that they are taking every precaution when it comes to our vulnerable elder population. As such, they will be closing senior centers indefinately. For any questions or concerns regarding elder safety, contact the Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services directly at 610-782-3034.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

GRACEDALE: Gracedale Nursing Home is accepting donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which includes gloves, gowns and masks (N95 and surgical) to protect the residents and the staff during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Please contact the Gracedale Volunteer Coordinator first at 610-829-3686 to see if your donation meets guidelines and can be accepted.

All donations can be dropped off in the lobby at Gracedale Nursing Home at 2 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth.

GOVERMENT CENTER: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Northampton County Government Center and Courthouse remain closed to visitors. We are working on a plan to re-open to the public as soon as practicable. We hope to do so by April 1.

The following exceptions to the closure are still in effect: Any person and their legal representative(s) having business before the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County will be permitted to enter the building. (If you have any questions as to whether you are required to appear, you should call Court Administration at 610-829-6700).

Any person needing to make an application for a ‘Protection from Abuse’ order will continue to be admitted. Additionally, any person and/or their legal representative who believes, in good faith, that a statute of limitations pertaining to them may expire within the month of March, may be admitted to the building.

Also allowed is anyone who needs to post bail. This includes a bondsman or a third party surety.