SMETHPORT — McKean County commissioners have extended an emergency declaration that was made last week in light of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

An emergency declaration in the county was initially made on March 16; this Monday, commissioners signed the extended declaration.

The new declaration directs the McKean County chief clerk, along with county officials, to develop a County Government Continuity of Operations Plan to last through the emergency.

The director of the McKean County Office of Emergency Services will coordinate emergency response activities and “to take all appropriate action needed to alleviate the effects of this disaster, to aid in the restoration of essential public services, and to take any other emergency response action deemed necessary to respond to this disaster emergency,” the declaration states.

The declaration also makes it possible to more quickly take the steps to alleviate the emergency.

It authorizes county officials to take actions such as hire temporary workers, rent equipment, purchase supplies and materials, and enter into contracts and agreements for public work as required to meet the emergency. It also allows them to skip legal formalities that would prevent steps to be taken in a timely manner.

The new emergency declaration is in effect for 30 days starting this past Monday, March 23.