Pennsylvania state prisons will begin allowing in-person inmate visits for the first time since on-site visits were halted more than a year ago because of the pandemic, Corrections Secretary John Wetzel announced Wednesday.

The first scheduled to resume on-site visits will be the State Correctional Institution at Laurel Highlands, which is located in Somerset County in western Pennsylvania and houses men who are older or have mental-health issues. Visits will be allowed beginning this Saturday.

The next facilities to resume visits will be Waymart, Muncy, Cambridge Springs, and Quehanna Boot Camp. The remaining state facilities will follow at some point.

The Department of Corrections said in a news release that decisions to reinstate in-person visits at each location will be based on inmate vaccination rates, percentage of COVID-19 cases among the inmate population, and results from its wastewater testing program that monitors for elevated levels of the COVID-19 virus.

Visits must be scheduled online at least three days in advance. Wetzel said that initial demand will be high, and available time slots will be limited. No-cost video visits will remain available. Since in-person visits were stopped on March 13, 2020, there have been 361,000 video visits.

“Our mission is to reinstate in-person visits while not significantly increasing the number of infections within our facilities,” Wetzel said in a statement. “Reintegrating visitation in a methodical, staggered manner — along with enhanced safety measures — allows the DOC to monitor wastewater testing results and use objective data to ensure facilities have continued success managing COVID-19.”

More details are available at cor.pa.gov.

— Robert Moran

The rate of new cases of the coronavirus continues to decrease in Philadelphia.

Acting Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole said the average daily case count for the past 14 days is 200, and the test positivity rate has been less than 5% since May 2.

“We’re not out of the woods yet, but we’ve seen clear improvement over the past few months as more and more Philadelphians receive their vaccines,” she said.

On Wednesday, the city reported 148 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city also announced five additional deaths. A total of 3,581 residents have now died of the virus. As of Wednesday, there were 241 coronavirus patients in Philadelphia hospitals.

Bettigole said vaccination is likely a “big factor” in reducing case rates and hospitalizations.

“We’re not there yet” with herd immunity, she said. “But we do have enough people vaccinated that I think that is helping to drive down case rates.”

About 49% of residents age 16 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the city’s data.

— Laura McCrystal

India on Wednesday reported more coronavirus deaths in a single day than any other country at any time during the pandemic, while infections continued to spread through vast rural areas with weak health systems.

The Health Ministry reported a record 4,529 deaths in the past 24 hours, driving India’s confirmed fatalities to 283,248. It also reported 267,334 new infections, as daily cases remained below 300,000 for the third consecutive day. The numbers are almost certainly undercounts.

The previous record for most daily deaths from the coronavirus was set on Jan. 12 in the United States, when 4,475 people died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

With over 25 million cases since the pandemic began, India’s confirmed infections are second only to the U.S.

Experts say new infections in India, which had been rising steeply, may finally be slowing. But deaths have continued to rise and hospitals are still crowded with patients. Over the last month, India’s COVID-19 fatalities have jumped six-fold.

— Associated Press

Any New Jerseyan who gets at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot before July 4 can receive a free pass they can use for entry to all state parks for the rest of the year, Gov. Phil Murphy said, offering a series of new initiatives aimed at getting more shots in residents’ arms.

“Get your state park vax pass and enjoy a day here,” Murphy said, speaking against a backdrop of ocean at Island Beach State Park, in Ocean County, “Or at any one of our 50 other state parks, forests or recreation areas as many times as you want, on us.”

Signup for the passes, which normally cost $50, will begin May 27. Those who have already purchased annual passes can be reimbursed.

Nine New Jersey wineries will also offer free glasses of wine to those who receive their first shots during May, an “Uncork the vaccination” program similar to the successful “Shot and a beer” initiative.

Those who get their first shots by the end of May, including those already vaccinated, can also enter to win dinner for two with Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy at their home at Island Beach State Park or at Drumthwacket, the governor’s mansion that is typically the official residence of the state’s governor.

To enter, go to covid19.nj.gov/forms/dinner.

— Allison Steele

Acting Philadelphia Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole said Wednesday that she is confident the city will continue making progress in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic in the wake of Health Commissioner Thomas Farley’s resignation last week.

“We have a tremendous team of people in the health department who are working on this response and everyone is united in making sure that this response continues,” Bettigole said in a virtual news conference Wednesday that marked her first public comments since assuming her new role last week.

Bettigole said she has worked for the city’s health department since 1999, with the exception of a few years working at a health center in New Jersey. She saw patients at city health centers for 12 years as a family physician. She said she worked on the city’s response to the coronavirus pandemic between March and August of last year, and was brought back onto the team in February after the resignation of Deputy Health Commissioner Caroline Johnson over the city’s failed vaccine partnership with Philly Fighting COVID.

Bettigole spoke highly of Farley, noting that he “undoubtedly saved thousands of lives in Philadelphia” during the pandemic. Farley resigned last week after disclosing that he had authorized the cremation and disposal of remains belonging to victims of the 1985 MOVE bombing. But Farley’s 2017 order to dispose of the remains was not followed, and the box was found Friday in the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Bettigole said that the staff of the health department was sad to learn of the mishandling of the remains.

“This is a department with a tremendously dedicated, hard-working staff that cares deeply about Philadelphia and Philadelphians,” she said. “And I think we all feel this and are saddened by it.”

— Laura McCrystal

The University of Pennsylvania Health System, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, on Wednesday announced that all employees and clinic staff will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 1.

“As an institution grounded in the science and art of healthcare, we believe it is imperative for the University of Pennsylvania Health System to take the lead in requiring employee vaccinations to protect our patients and staff and to set an example to the broader community as we work together to end the COVID-19 pandemic,” Penn said in a statement.

Effective July 1, all new hires must provide proof of vaccination or complete immunization two weeks before starting work. Those with religious or medical reasons to refuse vaccination will have to apply for an exemption, similar to the seasonal flu shot policy in place for more than a decade.

All UPHS employees and clinical staff have been offered the vaccine, and nearly 70% — more than 33,000 people — are now fully vaccinated with one of the three authorized vaccines. The mRNA vaccines, made by Pfizer and Moderna, trace their roots to research conducted at Penn.

“Evidence is clear that COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be very safe and highly effective at preventing transmission, hospitalizations, and death from the virus,” the statement said. “The transformational mRNA technology discoveries at Penn which laid a foundation for the first COVID-19 vaccines are a tremendous point of pride which further buoys our confidence in the science that is now being deployed to save lives across the globe.”

— Marie McCullough

Philadelphia will lift its outdoor mask mandate on Friday, but masks will still be required indoors at least until June 11, Acting Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole announced Wednesday.

”You can go to a ballgame without a mask,” she said.Bettigole also strongly recommended that people who are unvaccinated — including children who are too young for vaccination — continue to wear masks.

For people who have been fully vaccinated for two weeks or more, Bettigole said the science now shows “you are safe.”

”So you no longer need to worry about what other people are doing which we think is great for mood in Philadelphia,” she said. “If you are not vaccinated you are not safe.”

Bettigole said the new guidance comes after city officials reviewed last week’s guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. But the indoor mask mandate will remain in place for now, she said, because there are still many residents who are not yet vaccinated — especially young Black residents. For Philadelphia residents between the ages of 20 and 44, 65% of Asian residents and 47% of white residents have been vaccinated, compared with 35% of Hispanic residents and 21% of Black residents.

Bettigole said she is concerned that many of the young residents who are not vaccinated hold essential jobs and would be exposed to the coronavirus if the indoor mask mandate was lifted immediately. She said that was a major factor in keeping the indoor mask mandate in place for another month, because it would be too difficult for businesses to attempt to enforce a mask mandate based on vaccination status.

”The solution to that is not to try to police vaccinations,” she said. “It’s for us to do a really big push and to get all those frontline workers vaccinated to the extent that that’s possible.”

If COVID-19 case counts, hospitalizations and vaccination rates and all continue to improve, Bettigole said, the city will lift its indoor mask mandate for vaccinated people on June 11, the same date that all other coronavirus restrictions on businesses and gatherings.

”Fully vaccinated people can go back to normal no masks,” she said. “No restrictions. If that’s not a reason to get vaccinated today I don’t know what is.”

— Laura McCrystal

Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. and Mayor Jim Kenney said Thursday they are planning for a full, in-person reopening of all Philadelphia School District buildings in the fall.

The pledge — which is dependent on the Centers for Disease Control removing recommendations for any social distancing inside classrooms — came with the public backing of all five district unions, including the powerful Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.

“We all assure that as best we can, we’re going to work together to get children back to school five days a week.” Hite said from the stage of Spring Garden Elementary.

Kenney said he was “very optimistic” that reopening would happen.

Hite said Philadelphia schools offer those families who still feel uncomfortable with in-person instruction a fully virtual option. That’s in contrast to New Jersey, where Gov. Phil Murphy has said schools will not offer an all-digital option in the fall.

Philadelphia teacher feedback indicates that “hybrid instruction is not ideal, or not a sustainable option, and so will be not be offered next year,” Hite said.

Jerry Jordan, PFT president, threw his full weight behind the move to reopen.

“We do endorse the returning of students and staff to five days per week in September,” Jordan said at the news conference. “We believe that it’s really important to have in-person instruction.”

He said the PFT would work to ensure that the district’s buildings were safe for full reoccupancy.

» READ MORE: Philly schools are planning to fully reopen in the fall, Hite and Kenney say

— Kristen A. Graham

Pennsylvania voters have approved two ballot questions that would curtail the governor’s emergency powers, a victory for Republican lawmakers in what is widely seen as a referendum on the Wolf administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Unofficial results show 54% of voters backed amending the state constitution to allow lawmakers to terminate a disaster declaration at any time. Currently, such a declaration can only be ended with the governor’s consent or with support from two-thirds of the General Assembly.

Roughly the same percentage of voters also approved a proposal that limits a disaster declaration to 21 days, instead of 90, and transfers power to extend an emergency order from the governor to the legislature. The Associated Press called the results Wednesday morning with 73% of precincts reporting.

Previously little noticed, Pennsylvania’s disaster declaration process has become a political flashpoint for legislative Republicans, who — with support from a few Democrats — championed the proposals as a check on an executive they repeatedly clashed with over the state’s approach to the pandemic.

“A ‘yes’ vote does not take power away from the governor,” Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward (R., Westmoreland) said during an April news conference. “Rather it brings back the balance of power by giving the people a say in how to manage their communities during emergency situations.”

» READ MORE:  Voters back curtailing Wolf’s emergency powers in win for GOP lawmakers

— Sarah Anne Hughes of SpotlightPA

The European Union on Wednesday took a step toward relaxing tourism travel restrictions for visitors from outside the bloc, with EU ambassadors from the 27 member counties agreeing on measures to allow fully vaccinated visitors in.

They also agreed on easing the criteria for nations to be considered a safe country, from which all tourists can travel. Up to now, that list included only seven nations.

The list of safe countries will be finalized Friday, and the new measures could go into effect as early as next week, according to the New York Times.

The EU imposed strict measures last year to contain COVID-19 outbreaks but the bloc’s ambassadors now say many of those restrictions on non-essential travel should be eased. Specifically, tourists from outside the bloc who have been fully vaccinated should be allowed in.

» READ MORE: European Union ambassadors agree on measures to allow in fully vaccinated visitors

— Associated Press

Officials in Philadelphia and Montgomery County will offer coronavirus updates on Wednesday. In the city, it will be the first briefing since former Health Secretary Thomas Farley was forced to resign due to his handling of the remains of victims of the 1985 MOVE bombing.

Acting Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole will handle Wednesday’s briefing, where Philadelphia is expected to announce a decision whether to continue to require masks indoors for fully vaccinated people.

The briefing is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., and will be live-streamed via the Department of Public Health’s Twitter (@PHLPublicHealth) and Facebook accounts.

— Rob Tornoe

New Jersey is lifting most of its COVID-19 restrictions Wednesday, a significant step towards normal life after being an early epicenter of the pandemic over a year ago.

Beginning today, stores, restaurants, theaters, and other businesses can operate at full capacity as long as they maintain social distancing, and bar seating can also return. Despite CDC guidance that says unvaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask in most settings, New Jersey will continue to require masks indoors for at least the next few weeks, Murphy said Monday.

Limits on outdoor gatherings have also been removed, and the cap on indoor gatherings in private residences has been increased from 25 to 50 people.

Large-scale indoor venues with 1,000 or more seats can operate at 30% capacity, an increase from the current 10% limit. Outdoor large venues can operate at 33%. Conferences, trade shows, and similar events will be permitted to host up to 250 people, along with events such as weddings and political activities.

Murphy has set a goal of vaccinating 4.7 million adults — about 70% of the adult population — by the end of June. Nearly 4 million adults are now fully vaccinated.

— Rob Tornoe

Thanks to the March 2020 CARES Act, businesses have been given more incentives to help pay down their employees’ student loans.

The provisions of the legislation — which were extended to 2025 in a subsequent stimulus bill — now allow employers to reimburse or pay down directly as much as $5,250 of their employees’ student loans every year. And that amount will be non-taxable to the employee yet still deductible by the employer.

If you’re considering this benefit at your company, the good news is that it’s not difficult to implement.

Most employers, regardless of size, tend to rely on such services as Tuition.io or Gradifi, which can connect the major loan repayment services with their payroll systems. After an employee is added to the system, auto-emails are generated for the worker to complete a full profile and enroll. From there, loans are usually paid directly from the platform to the loan service with minimal administrative involvement.

And just because a company can offer as much as $5,250 a year tax free doesn’t mean you have to. Integrichain starts by paying $100 a month and then raises that amount to $200 after a year of service.

» READ MORE: A little known provision of the CARES Act helps employees pay their student loans

— Gene Marks, For The Inquirer

The number of new COVID-19 cases continues to drop in Philadelphia and across the region as more people get vaccinated against the virus.

Here’s where things stand, according to an Inquirer analysis of the most recent data from each local health department:

— Rob Tornoe