Catasauqua Borough

Catasauqua Borough, in cooperation with Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s March 25 stay-at-home directive, is buttoned down.

“Everybody is staying in,” Vincent Smith, council president, said. “On nice days, people are walking and maintaining social distance. There seems to be respect for everyone’s space.”

According to Smith, the next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 6. It will be provided digitally via video with the digital site available for residents to access.

“I’m excited. I’ve supported this for years, but we just couldn’t get enough council support to do it,” Smith said.

It is expected only the regular council meeting will be videoed. The monthly workshop will retain the current meeting format.

“Businesses are adapting to the situation,” Smith noted. “Many restaurants are providing takeout or delivery. Churches are partnering with businesses and others to deliver food to those who need it.”

The Front Street business district is quiet. Very few people are out on the street, and car traffic is greatly reduced.

Restaurants cannot have sit-down eating, but they do offer takeout and delivery of food.

Churches and schools are closed, and all nonprofit organizations have canceled meetings. All borough parks are closed.

Hanover Township

Hanover Township does not plan to have any changes in its operation. Township offices are still closed to the public as are most other municipalities.

Services, particularly trash collection, will continue on the regular schedule.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania initially attempted, like other states, to contain the virus. Containment was the initial strategy. Containment involves tracking and isolating those infected. Testing is a cornerstone of containment.

Mitigation includes widespread testing, prohibiting large gatherings, closing theaters and other venues and closing some businesses. Mitigation also includes following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control regarding personal safety.

Suppression efforts include stay-at-home orders and closing all nonessential businesses, which greatly lowers the number of people meeting together. Research suggests the best strategy at this point is widespread and extended social distancing and the isolation of those with COVID-19 infection. The goal is to suppress the virus to flatten the infection curve.

North Catasauqua Borough

Borough officials are exploring options for holding virtual meetings while the stay-at-home order is in place.

The municipal building and North Catasauqua William J. Albert Memorial Park remain closed to the public.