Delaware County is gently easing into reopening as the county moves to Gov. Tom Wolf’s Yellow Phase.

A “Bringing Back Delco Task Force” will help ensure a safe opening of the local economy by making sure local businesses meet the public health criteria to open safely as they pivot from red to yellow to green.

The task force is made up members of Delaware County Council, the Delaware County Commerce Center, and the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. It includes community, business and government representatives.

The Task Force will hold a webinar June 3 at 2 p.m. to talk about the needs of small businesses and restaurants as they open up, showing how local government can help make the transition safe and successful.

You can find details by visiting the Task Force website here.

Under a Yellow Phase, restaurants may offer outdoor dining and most retail stores may open, although curbside and delivery for retail stores are preferred.

“We are very excited to see our business community get back to work,” said Delaware County Councilwoman Elaine Schaefer. “It has been a long two months of hardship for almost all of our small businesses and we recognize that they are anxious to be back up and operating, and also that our residents are eager to support them.

“As we approach the Yellow Phase, we need to do so in a way that continues to allow for the safety and health of employees and residents.”

If counties continue to show progress on containing the spread of COVID-19, they can move to the Green Phase by the end of June.

Under the Green Phase, all businesses can open with less restriction on social gatherings.  That said, residents and businesses still need to follow CDC and Health Department guidelines.

The Task Force will continue to offer webinars and assist business owner with safety guidelines, reopening protocols, plans and industry-specific information.

The website, www.BringingBackDelco.com  has downloadable flyers and graphics that business owners can display and share with employees.

There is also a helpline, 610-565-3677, that business owners and manager can call with questions about navigating the CDC and state guidelines.

Finally, an online small business support store is being created to help businesses get supplies they need to reopen safely.

They include: hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, gloves, masks, six-foot floor markers and Plexiglas barriers for counters.

These will be available at a discounted price. Orders can be placed on the website and picked up at a central storage location.

The Task Force will meet regularly to address community concerns and share best practices proven to be successful.

Task force members are:

From Delaware County Council

Elaine Schaefer

Brian Zidek

Kevin Madden

Monica Taylor

Christine Reuther

From the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce

Trish McFarland

From the Delaware County Commerce Center

Patrick Killian

Laura Goodrich Cairns

From Visit Delco, PA

Steve Byrne

From state government

State Sen. Tim Kearney

State Sen. Tom Killion

State Sen. Anthony Williams

From county government

Jack Stollsteimer, Delaware County District Attorney

Marianne Grace, Delaware County Executive Administrative Director

Sam Haber, Delaware County Planning Department

Maria Edelberg, Delaware County Intermediate Unit

Other members

Frances Sheehan, The Foundation for Delaware County

 Mike Ranck, Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County

Amanda Serock, Concord Township

Dr. Maureen Reusche, Haverford School District

Chris Kovolski, Villanova University

Pamela McCormick, SEPTA

James Harper, Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local 413

George Piasecki, AFL-CIO  

Mike Corrigan, Boeing

Adam Gattuso, Monroe Energy

Chris Todd, Christopher’s A Neighborhood Place, Wayne Business Association

Tom McCormack, C&M Sports

“The Chamber has been listening to our members to identify their needs and working with business representatives from across the state to understand what has worked and what hasn’t worked in their transitions to the yellow phase,” said Trish McFarland, president of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.

By collaborating, the county can streamline the process to assist and protect businesses,employees and the public, she said.

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