COVID-19 Update: Stay-at-Home Order

Dear Arcadia Community,

Governor Tom Wolf today issued a stay-at-home order for Pennsylvania residents in Montgomery and other counties to help limit the spread of COVID-19, effective at 8 p.m. This follows similar orders in other states, which remain concerned about containment and preventing the loss of human life, and extends the statewide school closures another two weeks.

Under Governor Wolf’s order, personnel at postsecondary institutions in all 67 counties who are providing life-sustaining services—including, but not limited to: administration, food preparation and distribution, housing, security, information technology, building maintenance, and operations (e.g., payroll)—can continue to be deemed essential and are permitted to continue their work, provided they adhere to social distancing guidelines.

In alignment with this stay-at-home order, the University is extending alternative work arrangements for the next two weeks to minimize the number of employees on campus. We will continue to provide updates as we receive guidance from state, county, and local officials.   

• For continued University updates on our response to COVID-19, visit arcadia.edu/coronavirus. 
• Supervisors will be providing additional information regarding longer-term alternative work assignments.  
• Employees can submit any questions to the Office of Human Resources through this online form. 
• Students with questions or concerns should contact Student Affairs at 215-572-2933; leave a message and we will make every effort to get back to you within 24 hours. Students still residing on campus with an urgent matter should contact Public Safety (215-572-2800, 215-572,2999) or the on-call Student Affairs staff member. Student Affairs will send a message to students still residing on campus shortly. 

During a stay-at-home order, people are asked to remain at home as much as possible, leaving only for essential reasons, which include food, gas, medical appointments, and going outside for exercise. Gov. Wolf’s order goes even further, stating that residents “must stay home unless someone’s life depends on leaving.” If it’s necessary to go outdoors, practice social distancing. Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Monroe counties are also included in the order.

This past Saturday, these drive-through testing locations became available to the community:

• Temple University’s Ambler Campus in Upper Dublin Township, by appointment only.
• Jefferson Health - Abington: 1200 Old York Rd, Abington, PA 1900, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
• Einstein Health Network - please call your primary care physician if symptomatic.
• Rite Aid - 7401 Ogontz Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 

According to Montgomery County, only individuals meeting one or more of the following four criteria are eligible for testing:

• A fever at or above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit AND respiratory symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath; or
• A temperature at or above 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit AND 65 years of age or older; or
• A first responder (law enforcement, fire, EMS, or dispatcher) AND concern for exposure to a patient with suspected COVID-19 OR respiratory symptoms; or
• Healthcare workers providing direct patient care AND testing not available through employer AND concern for exposure to a patient with suspected COVID-19 OR respiratory symptoms.
• The site is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., by appointment only, as testing supplies allow. 

Visit www.montcopa.org/COVID-19 for more details, or check official Montgomery County government social media accounts. Individuals without access to the internet or who do not have an email address can call 610-631-3000 to register for a testing appointment.

To prepare for the stay-at-home order, healthcare professionals note that personal items that should be procured include Kleenex, acetaminophen (Tylenol) in 325 mg tablets, ibuprofen (Advil) in 200 mg tablets, Mucinex, and your preferred cough medicine (Robitussin, DayQuil/NyQuil, etc.). A humidifier is also recommended. If you have a history of asthma and have a prescription inhaler, make sure it has not expired, and refill it or get a new one if necessary.

Stay safe by staying home.