LINK TO THE NORRISTOWN CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE HUB
As of Feb. 16, officials are reporting 45,372 Coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Montgomery County, including 1,181 deaths from the virus, which includes 2,699 cases and 70 deaths in Norristown. Please refer to the CDC’s website for daily updates about the virus as it pertains to symptoms, treatment and travel information. All of this can be found on their website at c0dc.gov/coronavirus/20… En español aquí: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index-sp.html
Masks must be worn at all times* whenever you leave your house. (*- when out in stores, when being socially distant is not possible, on public transportation) Exceptions granted to persons with medical conditions where wearing a mask may be harmful to their health. Masks must be worn inside at all times, unless with persons of your household. When inside with persons outside of your household a mask must be worn, even when socially distancing.
For information at the state/local level, the PA Department of Health can be accessed here: https://www.health.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
It is important to take proactive steps to protect yourself by simple means like washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, covering your cough/sneeze, disinfecting commonly touched surfaces, and staying home if you are not feeling well.
Montgomery County has established communication tools to answer your questions about COVID-19. You can call 833-875-3967 (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or email COVID19@montcopa.org. Go to http://www.montcopa.org/COVID-19 for local information and to see what communities are affected.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is tracking the outbreak throughout the state and can be viewed here. The department can be reached at 1-800-724-3258.
Vaccinations:
Montgomery County has started administering the COVID-19 vaccination as of Jan. 2021. As of Jan. 6, healthcare professionals and medical office workers were being inoculated first per the CDC recommendations for vaccine distribution. Medical personnel can register to received their vaccine at this website. On Jan. 19, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has expanded eligible persons in the 1A group to all persons over 65 years old, and anyone between 16 and 64 years of age with high-risk conditions. The phasing out of the vaccination is detailed on the county's COVID-19 vaccine page and the state department of health's vaccine page.
Testing:
The Montgomery County COVID-19 testing site in Norristown is located at 1401 DeKalb St. (Norristown Regional Health Center parking lot) Testing hours are:
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, THURSDAY, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Appointments are mandatory! You can sign up for a test here starting at 7 a.m. everyday, or by calling 610-970-2937 starting at 8:30 a.m. everyday. Anyone who works, lives or attends school in Montgomery County may be tested here, or at the county’s other testing sites.
Resources:
What about unemployment? Please see the state’s Unemployment Compensation website about filing a claim and if you qualify to do so: https://www.uc.pa.gov/COVID-19/Pages/UC-COVID19-FAQs.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3WYHIu7Ueez4CMVywhCGFN7zZzg_R8NfRpd-51s9UgYiK8YHdOQo6VJNU
What about evictions and forclosures? Through March 31, 2021 there is a hold on tenant evictions by order of the CDC. You can read a FAQ document outlining the order. Tenants can sign a declaration of hardship that can be presented to their landlord. (Disponible en Español aquí)
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA has provided a list of resources and information about staying in your home during this pandemic.
¿Puedo ser desalojado? ¿Puede un juicio hipotecario ser presentado en contra de mi casa? Leer aquí
Mortgage/rent assistance: As of February 2021, Norristown is waiting to launch a program to help over 100 residents with rent/mortgage and utility assistance with funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
https://www.dobs.pa.gov/Businesses/COVID-19%20Information%20and%20Guidance/Pages/For-Consumers.aspx
COMMUNITY UPDATES!
A disaster declaration for the Municipality of Norristown was issued on March 16 and will be in effect indefinitely. This is a proactive action being taken so the municipality can get access to the resources and tools it needs to keep residents safe.
Montgomery County has established communication tools to answer your questions about COVID-19. You can call 610-631-3000 (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or email COVID19@montcopa.org. Go to http://www.montcopa.org/COVID-19 for local information and to see what communities are affected.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is tracking the outbreak throughout the state and can be viewed here. The department can be reached at 1-800-724-3258.836
MUNICIPAL HALL:
Municipal Hall isopen to the public. Mask wearing and social distancing is enforced for employees and visitors.
MUNICIPAL COUNCIL:
Meetings will still be held on virtual platforms (and at council’s discretion). Meeting access information will be posted before each meeting. The meeting agenda with public participation information will be posted on our website the Friday before the meeting. Meetings will still be conducted on the first and third Tuesday of every month unless otherwise noted.
MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS/SERVICES:
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Permitted construction work may resume in Norristown. Workers at job sites are asked to respect workspace guidance established by the state. The Codes department will be out to ensure that safe working standards adhere to guidance; if not, citations may be issued. Rental Inspections; property transfer inspections; non-emergency housing complaints; and scheduled non-emergency inspections with the fire department have all been suspended until further notice. Please call 610-270-0441 or email codes@norristown.org if you have any questions.
FINANCE/TAXES
PUBLIC WORKS
RECREATION
The Norristown Recreation Center and parks are open. Mask wearing and social distancing will be adhered to.
TRASH/RECYCLING
Weekly trash and recycling collections will continue.
SEPTA
Service has been restored to most lines in the SEPTA system as of June, 2020. More information at http://septa.org/
MUNICIPAL EVENT CANCELLATIONS:
Community events are limited.
SCHOOLS AND RECREATION
Norristown Area School District
Schools are doing virtual instruction for 2020-21. Full re-opening plans can be found at the school district’s website: https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/domain/596
Elmwood Park Zoo
Open, but reserved ticketing is required. www.elmwoodparkzoo.org.
Montgomery County- Norristown Public Library
The main building (at Powell and Swede streets) is closed. Curbside pickup of materials is available. Some virtual resources are available to cardholders at www.mc-npl.org. All programs are canceled until further notice.
UTILITIES
PAW restores water service to customers
Pennsylvania American Water announced that it is putting a moratorium on service shut offs and reinstating service to previously shut-off customers. More information can be found at amwater.com.
PECO
PECO is suspending service disconnections for non-payment until further notice. In addition, PECO will continue to remind customers of existing bill assistance resources and energy assistance programs to support them through temporary or extended financial hardship. Go here for more information: PECO expands customer assistance programs.
