Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday announced that the state would begin using the national Wireless Emergency Alert system to send important messages about the coronavirus pandemic to cellphones.
It’s the same system used to issue Amber Alerts and severe weather warnings. States are authorized to use the Wireless Emergency Alert system as a COVID-19 communications tool.
Pennsylvania’s first message was sent statewide Wednesday afternoon. The message, titled “Public safety alert” read: “In PA, COVID-19 rates are rising & hospitals could soon be at capacity. Stay home if possible. If you must go out, maintain social distance, wear a mask, wash your hands for 20 seconds. Stay up to date on the spread of COVID in your community so you can protect your loved ones with the COVID Alert PA app.”
The state could target specific regions of the state for future messages, particularly if one is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Messages will be provided in both English and Spanish.
“WEA is one more way to reach as many Pennsylvanians as we can to provide timely information on COVID-19,” Wolf said in a news release. “This tool is another tool in our toolkit to fight the pandemic and unite against COVID.”
