Wolf announces stricter COVID-19 mitigation efforts for Pa. bars, restaurants. Here’s what to know
With a steady rise in COVID-19 cases throughout Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf announced stricter mitigation efforts for bars and restaurants Wednesday.
As some ignore the masking mandate and continue to travel out of state, Wolf said Pennsylvania has seen an “unsettling climb” in new cases. To slow the spread of the virus, Wolf has signed an executive order that will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday and further limits restaurant and bar operations.
Under the new order, Pennsylvania bars and restaurants must limit indoor dining occupancy to 25%, and alcohol consumption is reserved for meals and carry-out only. Nightclubs are prohibited from conducting operations.
Indoor gatherings will be limited to 25 people, and outdoor events can remain at 250 people, at most. Teleworking must be implemented whenever possible.
“We’re already at a tipping point where we really have to act,” Wolf said. “We have got to act now.”
Medical experts are predicting new surges in the virus, Wolf said.
“Some Pennsylvanians have been ignoring the mask wearing requirements and social distancing when they’re visiting Pennsylvania bars and restaurants,” Wolf said. “They are unknowing spreading or unknowing picking up the virus. This carelessness has resulted in pockets of super-spreading.”
Despite State College’s Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts moving online last weekend, crowds of people lined up outside downtown bars and pubs on what is a traditional party weekend for Penn State students and alumni.
Using the weekend as a trial run of what could happen as students return to campus this fall, Commissioner Michael Pipe said he hoped to see better efforts to encourage and enforce state mandates to keep Centre County in the “green” phase of the state’s reopening plan.
He thinks the latest order does just that.
“The reopening of the university and the reopening of our K-12 schools throughout Centre County is going to depend on and be determined by the work that is done in July and August,” Pipe said Wednesday. “We have to make hard choices and decisions now to reduce the spread of COVID-19. These new mitigation efforts would be a step in the right direction.”
Understanding that business will face financial repercussions as a result of the restrictions, Pipe said the county will be releasing funds for local businesses in August to help account for any lost revenue.
“We’re eager to get that money and resource into the hands of our small businesses that are on the front lines and making the tough decisions,” he said.
House Majority Leader Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, responded to Wolf’s announcement Wednesday afternoon, saying that the governor has “ignored the voices of the people” by refusing to work with their representatives.
“The irreversible impact of his countless, confusing orders cannot be overstated. Gov. Wolf’s decision today will close the doors of some small businesses forever and devastate the livelihoods of so many Pennsylvanians who were just beginning to feel hopeful for the future,” Benninghoff said in a statement.
Benninghoff added that Wolf’s “continued overreach and misuse of power” is why the House of Representatives began the process to undo the state declaration of emergency earlier this week.
“Our system of government is dependent upon ensuring no one person has unchecked authority,” he said. “Decisions like those made today should require input and thoughtful deliberation. The people’s representatives have been and continue to stand at the ready to work with the governor to develop a cohesive, reasonable plan to help Pennsylvanians weather this pandemic.”
This story was originally published July 15, 2020 at 3:53 PM.
