Governor places new limits on bars, dining
As a result of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf is enacting a new statewide order limiting indoor dining, gatherings and bar service. This new order begins Thursday.
Indoor dining will be reduced to 25% capacity under the new order from 50%. Bar service at restaurants and bars is prohibited. Outdoor dining at restaurants is still allowed.
Bars may be open only for sitdown meals at tables. Food must be ordered if alcohol is consumed. If an establishment — such as a bar or nightclub — does not serve food, it must be closed, even if it has outdoor seating. To-go cocktails will still be allowed.
The order will affect Western Pennsylvania counties outside of Allegheny, which has stricter limits — and more COVID-19 cases.
The Allegheny County Health Department issued an order last week that banned all indoor dining, and alcohol consumption was limited to three drinks per person. The county health department says it plans to review the state’s current order.
“We can never be less strict than the state order, but we can be more stringent if necessary,” county health department Director Dr. Debra Bogen said Wednesday.
Indoor gatherings under the state’s new rules are limited to groups of 25 and outdoor gatherings have a cap of 250 people. Religious institutions are exempt from this limitation.
The current order in Allegheny County has outdoor gatherings limited to 50 people or fewer.
The new order also mandates that “businesses are required to conduct their operations in whole or in part remotely through individual teleworking of their employees.” As part of the green phase restrictions, telework had been “strongly encouraged” for businesses where it was possible.
Gyms and fitness centers are still permitted to be open but should prioritize outdoor fitness activities.
“The new mitigation efforts are in addition to existing actions; they don’t take away from our responsibility to do our part,” Mr. Wolf said. “We have seen these efforts work during the first wave in the spring, and they’re going to work again.”
The governor cited three catalysts for the spike in cases: Pennsylvania residents not wearing masks and not social distancing while at bars and restaurants; people traveling into and out of the state; and a lack of national coordination.
“If we do nothing, we are going to overwhelm our health system. ” Mr. Wolf added.
“I think the threat is statewide and that is why this is a statewide effort,” said state Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. “This is a targeted mitigation effort. This is not red, yellow, green where many different segments of the population were affected. In Florida, you can see what happens when you don’t do any mitigation efforts and you just let the virus burn.”
The order also states that businesses and individuals found in violation of these new restrictions “could be subject to fines, business closure or other applicable enforcement measures.”
These are the first statewide mitigation efforts put in place by the governor’s office since the state began reopening in May. There is not currently a time frame for when the restrictions could be lifted.
Reaction to Mr. Wolf’s order was swift and forceful.
“Reduction to 25% capacity is essentially the same as eliminating indoor dining entirely, and there is no scenario that restaurants can survive at that level of occupancy,” said John Longstreet, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association, which is instead advocating for shutting down problem establishments.
Chuck Moran, who heads the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, called on the state to develop a bailout package for the industry.
“Without help, we will see more small-business restaurants and taverns not survive,” Mr. Moran said.
County commissioners knew more restrictions were coming, but some leaders said the guidance laid out by Mr. Wolf differed from what they discussed with Dr. Levine.
“I think it’s interesting that on Monday, Dr. Levine said that they did not plan to use dramatic statewide measures,” said Leslie Osche, chair of the Butler County commissioners. “And yet 48 hours later here we are with a, I would say, dramatic statewide measure.”
Ms. Osche said she had received a “barrage” of emails from people who feared their businesses would be affected by new restrictions. “The instability of the up and down and on and off, it very well could put a lot of people under.”
Diana Irey Vaughan, chair of the Washington County commissioners, said she believes “the government should provide information” on the virus and how it spreads, and “people should be allowed to determine what they feel comfortable doing in the community.”
“This is not a short-term situation,” she said. “This virus will be with us for a very long time, but we have to look at how we move forward in society as the virus is spreading.”
Both Ms. Irey Vaughan and Ms. Osche said initial conversations suggested mitigation efforts were going to be “targeted” and focused on specific areas, not a statewide order.
Gordon Denlinger, the Pennsylvania director of the National Federation of Independent Business, wrote in a statement, “The health concerns over increased cases are certainly valid, but since the very existence of so many restaurants and bars are now at stake, we believe these preventative measures should be targeted to the counties or regions where the health data justifies them.”
Mr. Denlinger also noted state numbers “show just one new case in Cameron, Potter and Tioga counties, while Allegheny County has 246” and this “broad-brush approach” could damage restaurants that don’t focus on alcohol sales or cater to young people late at night.
A statement from the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce said the state should — instead of imposing widespread restrictions — use enforcement action against businesses “who refuse to comply with the safety protocols that we all know by now will keep our communities healthier — including hand-washing, social distancing and wearing face masks.
“In fact, our organization encourages enforcement action against businesses and individual patrons who are violating the guidelines and have been calling for more enforcement against those whose irresponsible actions imperil the health, jobs, and businesses of others.”
Ms. Osche said, “When we take extreme actions, one way or the other, it has a dramatic effect on people’s lives [and] business.”