Governor issues tighter restrictions on bars, restaurants and gatherings

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf has announced broad new statewide restrictions on bars and restaurants and larger indoor gatherings.

Bars and restaurants will be restricted to 25% of their capacity. It's been 50% until now under the green phase. Outdoor dining will still be allowed.

Music and nightclubs must close.

Other businesses will be required to have employees telework, 'if' the work does not need to be done in an office.

The state reported about 1,000 new infections Wednesday.

The rerecently elevated statewide virus numbers have been driven in large part by increased spread in the Pittsburgh area, where officials attribute the spike to younger people and others congregating in bars and restaurants.

Here's more of the breakdown...

  • 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.

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content