COVID-19 Information & Resources

Symptoms & Prevention
COVID-19 Testing
Vaccine Information
COVID Mitigation in PA
Schools
Businesses
Unemployment Compensation
Food Assistance
Utility Services
Transportation & Driver Services
Mental Health & Emergency Resources
Symptoms & Prevention
COVID-19 Testing
Vaccine Information
COVID Mitigation in PA
Schools
Businesses
Unemployment Compensation
Food Assistance
Utility Services
Mental Health & Emergency Resources

Senator Collett hosted a Telephone Town Hall event to discuss the COVID-19 Vaccine

April 22, 2021

Senator Collett hosted a Telephone Town Hall event with PA Labor & Industry to discuss COVID-19 and Unemployment.

May 8, 2020

Senator Collett hosted a Telephone Town Hall event with Montco Commissioner Val Arkoosh to discuss COVID-19 & its impact on our community

March 23, 2020

LIVE briefings from the PA Department of Health:
pacast.com/live/doh or www.governor.pa.gov/live/ or watch on Facebook

Download COVID Alert PA App
COVID-19 Public Health Complaint Form
Get Tested for COVID-19
Learn More about the COVID Vaccine
COVID-10 Data for PA
Information on Travel
Early Warning Dashboard
Translated COVID-19 Resources
Information on Contact Tracing
COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard

Find the latest information about COVID case numbers, health and safety recommendations, and additional updates on the local and national level:

Symptoms & Prevention

What Are the Symptoms?

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Diarrhea
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell

Use the CDC online tool to help you make decisions and seek appropriate medical care.

I Have Symptoms. Now What?

If they’re mild: Most people who have mild symptoms can recover at home without medical care. If you’d like to get tested for a diagnosis, contact your healthcare provider or schedule an appointment at a publicly accessible testing site. Find a testing site in Pennsylvania. If you do not want to get tested, it’s still important to stay home, isolate and avoid contact with others, rest, and drink fluids. If you feel worse, call your health care provider.

If they’re severe: For severe symptoms (including a fever above 100°), call your health care provider. If you don’t have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital or urgent care to schedule an appointment.

If it’s an emergency: Call 911. Emergency warning signs can include:

    • Trouble breathing
    • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
    • New confusion
    • Inability to wake or stay awake
    • Bluish lips or face

Help Stop the Spread

COVID-19 spreads like the flu or a cold through the air by coughing or sneezing, though close personal contact, or by touching a surface or an object with the virus on it. Here are some ways to help stop the spread:

Get Vaccinated

All Pennsylvanians 5 and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Those 12 and older are also eligible for a booster shot five months after their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or one dose of J&J. 

Check for a Provider Near You with Vaccine
Use the vaccine provider map to locate a provider near you who has the vaccine. Find more details about the vaccine further down this page. 

 

Wear a Mask

Pennsylvanians should follow CDC guidance for wearing a mask where required by law, rule, and regulations, including healthcare, local business and workplace guidance.  For the protection of themselves and others, individuals who have not yet been vaccinated or are partially vaccinated are still encouraged to wear a mask when in public. The CDC requires individuals to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs, such as airports and stations. In addition, all individuals should still follow guidance at workplaces, local businesses, long-term care facilities, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, prisons, and shelters. 

Wash Your Hands

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Any soap will do with cold or warm water. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. 

Clean Surfaces

Clean surfaces frequently: countertops, cell phones, light switches, remotes, and other frequently touched items.

Practice Social Distancing

It’s important to keep a safe space between yourself and other people who are not from your household. To practice social or physical distancing, stay at least 6 feet from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.

If you’re feeling sick, please stay home and call your healthcare provider.

Learn more about the virus and prevention methods on the PA Department of Health’s website. 

COVID-19 Testing 

Read the PA Department of Health’s guidance for testing.

 Montgomery County Free Testing Sites  

COVID Testing

All Montgomery County testing sites are appointment only. Anyone who needs or wants a test may get one, whether or not they have symptoms. Testing is limited to those who live, work, or study in Montgomery County. 

For more information and to make a appointment, visit Montgomery County’s website or call 610-970-2937. Registration is open 24-7 (online) and appointments can be booked up to four days in advance. Appointments can also be made by phone. Our phone lines open at 8:30 am. 

  • Willow Grove – 2522 West Moreland Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 (Former Petco)
    • Register here. 
    • Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:30pm
  • Norristown – 1401 Dekalb St, Norristown, PA 19401
    • Register here.
    • Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:30pm
  • Green Lane – Deep Creek and Snyder Roads
  • Register here. 
  • Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:30pm
  • Pottstown – 364 King Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
    • Register here.
    • Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:30pm
  • Ardmore – 114 W. Lancaster Ave, Ardmore, PA 19003
    • Register here.
    • Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:30pm

Commercial and Private Testing Sites 

Pharmacies 

  •  Select CVS Pharmacies 
    • Self-administered drive thru. Appointments required.
    • Make and appointment here.
  • Select RiteAid Pharmacies 
    • Appointment required. Testing available for ages 4+.
    • Make an appointment here.
  • Select Walgreens Pharmacies 
    • Self-administered drive thru. Testing available for ages 3+.
    • Locations in Warminster, Lansdale, North Wales, and more. Make an appointment here.

Urgent Care Locations

For additional testing sites, visit PA’s Testing Site Map.    

Vaccine Information

The PA COVID-19 Vaccine 

Vaccines are safe and effective and the best way to protect  yourself and those around you from COVID-19. All Pennsylvanians age 5 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As of November 2, with parental consent, children ages 5 through 11 may now receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about the pediatric vaccine.

County Vaccine Dashboards & Registration

Our counties are taking a leading role in the distribution of the vaccine. Both counties are actively scheduling individuals who are 5 and older for vaccine appointments. Find more info:

Booster Shots

All adults in Pennsylvania and children ages 12 and older are now eligible to for a COVID-19 vaccine booster. Based on CDC recommendation, everyone 18 and older can schedule a booster dose five months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer, six months after receiving their second dose of Moderna or two months after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The CDC also recommends that 12 to 17-year-olds who received Pfizer as their initial doses can schedule a Pfizer booster dose five months after receiving their second dose.

Where to Get a Booster or Third Dose

Most major pharmacies and providers are now offering boosters and third doses for eligible individuals, including: 

Homebound Vaccines

If you or a loved one is homebound or disabled and needs assistance registering for vaccine appointment at your home, please reach out to my office at 215-368-1429, senatorcollett@pasenate.com, or contact your county health department (see hotline numbers above). 

Vaccine Safety

Your health is important. And we know you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines and whether they are safe for you and your family. That’s why the we have pulled together valuable information about the currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines. On PA’s Vaccine Safety & Effectiveness webpage, you’ll find details about:

  • FDA-Approved Vaccines
  • Potential Side Effects
  • And Vaccine Safety Monitoring

For more details about all the steps that go into making sure vaccines are safe – including details about how clinical trials work – check out the CDC’s overview about Ensuring the Safety of Vaccines.

Be sure to stay in the know with all of the frequently asked questions surrounding vaccines by visiting the Get Answers to Your Questions webpage.

Looking for a replacement COVID-19 vaccine card? The PA Department of Health can help by sending you a record of your immunizations! Please visit the PA-SIIS page and complete the Authorization for Release of Immunizations Records Form. 

COVID Mitigation in Pennsylvania

Businesses and individuals are encouraged to follow CDC safety guidance. In areas of substantial or high COVID-19 transmission, the CDC recommends masking in all indoor public settings regardless of vaccination status. To see current transmission rates in your county, check the CDC data tracker. 

For the latest county-level safety guidance, visit your county website:

To view the current status of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, visit the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website.

 

Schools

The PA Department of Education released guidance for PA schools for the 2021-22 school year. This guidance reflects currently endorsed public health best practices from the Department of Health. It serves as minimum standards for practices across all Pre-K to 12 schools with the understanding that more rigorous measures may be required in certain areas depending on community transmission of COVID-19. 

Masking

On December 10, 2021, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down the Acting Secretary of Health’s school masking order. Please note that this decision does not impact the federal directive requiring all passengers and drivers to wear a mask on school buses, including on buses operated by public and private school systems; these requirements remain in effect. It also does not impact the federal masking mandate issued for Head Start and Early Head Start grantees. 

School entities still possess the authority and are encouraged to require masks in their facilities as recommended by CDC. Masking in school settings minimizes the spread of COVID-19, particularly in settings where individuals and students are not vaccinated, and allows for reduced quarantining to keep individual students and staff in school. 

For additional details on COVID guidelines and information on free meal distribution, visit your school district’s website: 

Businesses

Funding Opportunities for Business Owners:

Check your county website and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development website for the most up-to-date information on resources and loans for businesses.

We will continue to update this page with county and state opportunities as they arise. If you need further assistance, contact Senator Collett’s office at 215-368-1429 or senatorcollett@pasenate.com. 

STATE PROGRAMS

PIDA Low-Interest Loans

The Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) offers low-interest loans and lines of credit for eligible businesses that commit to creating and retaining full-time jobs for the development of industrial parks and multi-tenant facilities. Loan applications are packaged and underwritten by a network of certified economic development organizations (CEDOs) that partner with PIDA to administer the program.

Tel:  717.783.5046 | Find your local certified economic development organization

FEDERAL PROGRAMS

PPP Loan Forgiveness 

Borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness if the funds were used for eligible payroll costs, payments on business mortgage interest payments, rent, or utilities during either the 8- or 24-week period after disbursement. A borrower can apply for forgiveness once it has used all loan proceeds for which the borrower is requesting forgiveness. Borrowers can apply for forgiveness any time up to the maturity date of the loan. If borrowers do not apply for forgiveness within 10 months after the last day of the covered period, then PPP loan payments are no longer deferred and borrowers will begin making loan payments to their PPP lender. Have a question? Learn more from the SBA’s Frequently Asked Questions.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan

The Economic Injury Disaster Loans can provide vital economic support to eligible small businesses and agricultural businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Agricultural businesses includes those businesses engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries (as defined by section 18(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 647(b)). Small businesses include those businesses with no more than 500 employees. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.

Tel:  1.800.659.2955 (1.800.877.8339 for the hearing impaired) | Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

 

Unemployment Compensation

The Unemployment Compensation (UC) program provides temporary income support if you lose your job through no fault of your own or if you are working less than your full-time hours. If you qualify, you will receive money for a limited time to help you meet expenses while you seek new employment. To be eligible for UC benefits, you must be a worker who performed services that are covered by the Pennsylvania UC Law.

All applications for benefits are checked thoroughly. Always provide complete, accurate and truthful information when filing your claim. Fraudulent claims may result in fines and/or imprisonment or other penalties.

Apply for benefits here. 

Eligibility

Any unemployed person may file a claim for UC benefits. Your eligibility is based on the information provided by you and your employer(s) after you file an application for UC benefits. If your job has been affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefits. Please read our UC COVID-19 Eligibility FAQs for more guidance.

Following your application for benefits, there are three basic steps to determining eligibility for UC benefits:

  1. Financial Eligibility
    The first step is determining whether you are financially eligible for benefits. In other words, did you earn sufficient wages and credit weeks in employment covered by the PA UC Law? Services performed by an individual for remuneration are deemed to be covered employment unless otherwise designated under the PA UC Law. For example, agricultural labor and domestic services performed in a private home are specifically exempt from coverage under the PA UC Law. Services performed in self-employment are likewise not covered, because they do not constitute “employment” under the PA UC Law. After you file, you will receive a notice of financial determination indicating whether you are financially eligible.
  2. Benefit Eligibility
    If you have been determined to be financially eligible, the second step involves the nature of your job loss or separation. In other words, are you out of work through no fault of your own? This decision is based on the information you supply when you file for benefits, and information collected from your former employer.
  3. Maintaining Eligibility and Requalifying for Benefits
    The third qualifier to receiving UC benefits involves meeting various tests on a week-to-week basis. For example, you must be able and available to accept suitable work, not refuse work when offered without good cause and participate in reemployment services if required. You’ll also have to register for employment-search services at www.pacareerlink.pa.gov within 30 days after filing an application for benefits and actively seek work during each week that you claim UC benefits.

If you need assistance with your unemployment benefits, please contact Senator Collett’s office at 215-368-1429 or senatorcollett@pasenate.com. 

 

Food Assistance

If you need assistance feeding yourself and your family, know that there are resources that can help. To apply for SNAP and other benefits, use Pennsylvania’s COMPASS system. For help navigating benefits, contact Senator Collett’s office at senatorcollett@pasenate.com or leave a message at 215-368-1429.

To find a food pantry near you, visit bit.ly/PAfoodmap. Many of our local cupboards and food services are listed below. For student meals, please see the Schools section above for information on your local district’s distribution plan.

Free Farmer’s Markets and Food Distribution

  • Fresh Connect Free Produce (Warminster)
    • Every Tuesday, 11am-1pm (or until the food runs out)
    • Warminster Community Park, 1100 Veterans Way, Warminster 18974 
  • Fresh For All Free Produce (Souderton)
    • Every Tuesday, 1pm-2pm 
    • Grace Bible Church, Main Street & Summit Ave, Souderton PA (across from the WAWA

Local Cupboards

Meals on Wheels for Seniors

Utility Services

Many Pennsylvanians have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and guidelines. Utility services in our area have instituted policies to help ease this burden. If your utility services are not listed below, visit their website for the latest information.

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clearer than ever that access to internet is essential. If you lost a job, income, or are a low-income household, you may qualify for a discount of up to $50 per month toward your broadband service.  Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. Learn more about the Emergency Broadband Benefit program and see if you qualify here.

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) encourages consumers and small businesses who are struggling financially to #CallUtilitiesNow to discuss the options available to address any past-due balances, apply for available assistance programs, and review payment plan options. Learn more. 

PECO

PECO is offering expanded payment agreements and financial assistance programs to help customers pay down outstanding balances that may have increased during the pandemic. Late payment fees will not be charged until further notice. Learn more about PECO’s customer assistance programs. 

PPL Electric Utilities

PPL offers options to help customers pay bills and avoid late fees. Learn more about their assistance programs here. 

Comcast

Through June 30, 2021, eligible new customers can sign up to receive 60 days of free Internet service through Internet Essentials, a reduced-cost program for low-income households. The service will cost $9.95 each month following. For more information, visit their site.

Verizon

Customers who notified Verizon of their inability to pay their bills due to the Coronavirus pandemic by June 30 will be automatically enrolled in Verizon’s Stay Connected repayment program to provide options to stay connected.  Verizon also offers a low-income internet assistance program called Lifeline. For more information on Verizon’s COVID-19 response, visit their website. 

Mental Health & Emergency Resources

Anxiety, fear, and uncertainty are normal, but it’s important to take care of your mental health – as well as your physical health. See below for local and national resources to help you in a mental health crisis; if you are experiencing abuse; or if you are struggling with substance abuse.

Mental Health 

  • Bucks Crisis Hotline: 1-800-499-7455 (24/7 Availability)
  • Montgomery Crisis Hotline: 1-855-634-HOPE (4673) (24/7 Availability)
  • PA Support & Referral Helpline: 1-855-284-2494 (For TTY, dial 724-631-5600) (24/7 Availability)
  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • NAMI Bucks County: 1-866-399-NAMI (6264)
  • NAMI Montgomery County: 215-361-7784  
  • Ambler Counseling Center: 267-664-0734

Domestic Abuse Resources 

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
  • 24 Hour Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-490-8505   

Sexual Assault Resources

Montgomery County

Bucks County

Substance Abuse & Recovery 

Alzheimer & Dementia Resources