The Senate passed a record $2 trillion stimulus package late Wednesday aimed at jumpstarting the U.S. economy, which has seen mass layoffs, business closures, imperiled industries and volatile financial markets since the beginning of March due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus.

The rapidly changing and spreading virus upended nearly 30 consecutive months of positive passenger traffic at Lehigh Valley International Airport and put a financial strain on the airport as it continues operating and providing services.

All Customers Bank branches are switching to appointment-only service. The changes are being made to protect clients and employees from the spread of coronavirus, bank officials said.  Drive-through service will still be available at five locations.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, said the goal of a provision in the $2 trillion federal COVID-19 rescue package to get funds to small businesses is putting an emphasis on speed to get the money where it’s needed quickly.

With the White House and Senate reaching a deal earlier today to provide a $2 trillion stimulus package to bolster the national economy in the wake of COVID-19, Pennsylvania’s small businesses can benefit if they act now, according to the leader of a local mortgage-lending firm.

Small businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees have the opportunity to apply for a $100,000 low-interest loan through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Agency (PIDA), state officials said this week.

Taxpayers in the commonwealth have an extra 90 days to file their 2019 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns, as the deadline has been extended from April 15 to July 15.

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is seeking modification and clarification of Gov. Tom Wolf’s order closing all “non-life sustaining businesses" in the state.

Community banks have been working around the clock for weeks to implement pandemic protocols, which address not only hygiene and cleanliness, testing procedures and sick leave compensation, but also ensure customers maintain access to vital banking services.

To slow the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania to close their physical locations late yesterday, and offered a comprehensive list of those types of businesses affected.