Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf announces new COVID-19 restrictions that limit dining, bar service

Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf has issued new, statewide orders starting Thursday that reportedly limit indoor dining, gatherings and bar service – as a result of an increase in coronavirus cases in the state. 

Under this new order, indoor dining will go from 50% to 25% capacity. Bar service at restaurants and service at bars are prohibited. However, outdoor dining at restaurants is still allowed.

“The new mitigation efforts are in addition to existing actions; they don’t take away from our responsibility to do our part,” Wolf said. “We have seen these efforts work during the first wave in the spring, and they’re going to work again.”

Bars may be open only for sit-down meals at tables. Customers cannot just go to the bar to drink. They must order food with their drinks. Bars and nightclubs have to be closed if they do not serve food. And cocktails to-go are still allowed, according to the Pittsburg Post-Gazette.

“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.

As of now, gyms and fitness centers are still reportedly open, but outdoor activities are encouraged. 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.