Some might have thought the need to wear masks would be over by now. With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing, Allen Township Board of Supervisors convened to discuss the next steps at the Sept. 8 teleconference meeting.

The current declaration of disaster emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic was originally effective until Sept. 9, but with the pandemic’s persistence, the board made a motion to extend resolutions 2020-11.

A disaster declaration is a formal statement made by a jurisdiction that a disaster or emergency - in this case, the pandemic - exceeds the jurisdiction’s response and/or recovery capabilities, according to Parker, LLP Attorney at Law.

“[I] see this as not going away,” Chairman Dale Hassler said.

“Let’s just move this to the end,” Vice Chairman Gary Behler seconded. “This isn’t going to go away until next year.”

With that, the board approved a motion to extend the declaration to Dec. 1.

“The declaration allows public officials to exercise emergency powers to preserve life, property and public health following a disaster,” according to Parker, LLP.

These powers are varied, but, for Allen Township, this means the jurisdiction will be able to seek federal financial assistance for both individuals and public entities.