Delaware County has placed 400 government workers on furlough because of the coronavirus pandemic, writes Vinny Vella and Laura McCrystal in an April 21 article for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

It is the first government entity in the Philadelphia region to institute furloughs.

The workers make up about an eighth of the county’s workforce, mostly office workers who can’t work remotely.

Delaware County suspended most county services March 16.

The Sheriff’s Office, emergency call center, prison operations and Fair Acres, are exempt.

County Chief Administrative Officer Marianne Grace, in a letter sent to department heads Thursday, said the furloughs went into effect Sunday and are expected to “last a few weeks.”

“Due to the economic impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the County of Delaware is implementing measures to ensure the financial stability of the county,” Grace wrote.

Furloughed employees will not have to pay premiums for their health care insurance and can collect federal unemployment.

There are no layoff plans.

“This is going to end, and at that time, we need to bring people back,” said Delaware County Councilman Kevin M. Madden. “We’re doing this in a way that’s responsible for the taxpayer, given the shortfall in revenues.”

Read more about the furloughed government workers here.