Can local government legally quarantine you if coronavirus spreads?

PITTSBURGH — The closest coronavirus is more than 500 miles away in Boston, but the City of Pittsburgh is preparing for the possibility it moves south.

Mayor Bill Peduto said state law gives the city’s public safety department broad powers to quarantine people if they are believed to be infected with a high contagious illness like coronavirus.

“I would say we’re as ready as anywhere else in this country. But I don’t know if as a nation we’re ready,” Peduto said.

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City leaders have been holding meetings about the illness since January and first responders are getting trained on how to recognize cases and isolate patients.

“We have, under the jurisdiction of the Public Safety Director, the ability to quarantine, the ability to take over hospitals if necessary. Powers granted to that position by the state,” he said.

Neighbors who spoke to Channel 11 said they understand the possible need to take drastic action.

“I have children and I’m concerned how fast it’s spreading and if they’re going to figure out how to stop it soon,” said Michelle Turner.

“State and local authorities have broad powers to either request voluntary or court ordered quarantine under those circumstances,” explained Bill Schweers.

Schweers is a Carlow University Professor and a scholar of the Constitution. He said those broad powers haven’t been used in more than 100 years when the yellow fever and spanish flu were spreading.

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