The alarming spread of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania has led the State Police no longer respond in person to some types of calls. This action has been taken in an effort to reduce as much as possible troopers’ contact with the public, according to an announcement made by authorities on Wednesday.
The new measure establishes that those calls that do not have an emergency status will be attended with“limited or no-scene response.” Calls for lost and found, littering, identity theft and general requests to speak to a trooper fall under this category,” state police said in a news release.
State police said troopers will continue to respond to emergencies.
“To enhance social distancing and keep our personnel and the public safe and healthy, we will begin collecting information via telephone for incidents that do not require an in-person response from a trooper,” said Col. Robert Evanchick, the state police commissioner. “This change affects only a limited number of call types, and the public can be confident that the PSP has the personnel, equipment, and plans in place to respond to emergencies and other critical incidents.”
You can read: President Trump declared Major Disaster in Pennsylvania
The policy to slow the spread of COVID-19 took effect Wednesday and will be in place until further notice.
Although state police stations are open to the public, the agency has asked residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who show symptoms, to stay away and use phone calls. Similarly, the recommendation on social distance has been strongly emphasized.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 962 additional positive cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to 5,805.
Noticias Newswire
