BREAKING: Pennsylvania Restaurants Going to 25% Occupancy, Bars Closing at Midnight

(Image: Office of the Governor)

Sources tell The Canary today that Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf will close all bars at midnight Thursday, July 15. Restaurants in the Commonwealth must limit occupancy to 25% at that same time.

This comes as the state reports a reported “spike” in COVID-19 cases, mostly in Allegheny and Philadelphia counties.

Pennsylvania Bars Closing Again
Restaurants Limited to 25% Capacity Starting Midnight Thursday, July 15

Restaurants and bars were finally allowed to open after 3 months closed to customers inside their doors only back on June 19 in Schuylkill County. That’s when Schuylkill County entered Wolf’s green phase of the state’s coronavirus reopening plan.

Wolf is mimicking the ways of other states who’ve allegedly experienced coronavirus case spikes. These states, according to Eater.com, have shut down bars and restaurants, at least partially, after allowing them to reopen in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic:

• Idaho
• Florida
• Arizona
• Texas
• Colorado
• Michigan
• Tennessee
• Nevada
• California
• Louisiana

No Advanced Warning

Just like when Wolf shut down businesses across Pennsylvania back in March, practically no advanced warning is being given here.

As far as we’re hearing, today’s expected announcement will only impact restaurants and bars. No salons or fitness centers are impacted.

We’re working to find out how long this reported shutdown order will last.

Back on July 3, Allegheny County closed in-person dining at restaurants and closed bars for 1 week amid renewed coronavirus fears.

New Rules for Bars, Restaurants, Gatherings in Pennsylvania starting July 16

Here are the new rules for bars and restaurants, verbatim from the Governor’s press release, that take effect on July 16 at midnight:

Bars and Restaurants

All businesses in the retail food services industry, including restaurants, wineries, breweries, private clubs, and bars, are permitted to provide take-out and delivery sales of food, as well as dine-in service in both indoor and outdoor seating areas so long as they strictly adhere to the requirements of the guidance, as required by the order, including:

• Prohibition from conducting operations unless the facility offers sit-down, dine-in meals or is serving take-out sales of alcoholic beverages. All service must be at a table or booth; bar service is prohibited.
• Alcohol only can be served for on-premises consumption when in the same transaction as a meal.
• Take-out sales of alcohol for the purposes of off-site consumption are permitted subject to any limitations or restrictions imposed by Pennsylvania law.
• Non-bar seating in outdoor areas (i.e. tables or counter seats that do not line up to a bar or food service area) may be used for customer seating.
• Social distancing, masking, and other mitigation measures must be employed to protect workers and patrons.
• Occupancy is limited to 25 percent of stated fire-code maximum occupancy for indoor dining, or 25 persons for a discrete indoor event or gathering in a restaurant.
• The maximum occupancy limit includes staff.

Nightclubs

• All nightclubs, as defined by the Clean Indoor Air Act, 35 P.S. § 637.2, are prohibited from conducting operations.
• Other events and gatherings

Events and gatherings must adhere to these gathering limitations:

• Indoor events and gatherings of more than 25 persons are prohibited.
• Outdoor events and gatherings of more than 250 persons are prohibited.
• The maximum occupancy limit includes staff.