Gov. Wolf tightens restrictions on bars, restaurants as covid-19 surge continues

More restrictions on Pennsylvania bars and restaurants become effective Thursday in response to what Gov. Tom Wolf characterized as an “unsettling climb” of covid-19 cases in the state.

“We’re already at a tipping point where we have to act now,” Wolf said, later adding, “This virus is saying, ‘I’m back.’ ”

The actions Wolf enacted with the order he signed Wednesday limit bars and restaurants to 25% of their indoor capacity, a decrease from the 50% that had been permitted.

On July 8, Allegheny County banned indoor dining, but allowed outdoor dining along with on-site alcohol sales.

The order doesn’t change outdoor dining restrictions, but patrons will only be allowed to buy alcohol if they are buying food.

Bars and nightclubs that do not serve food must close, Wolf said.

“If you’re just a dive bar or a nightclub and you serve drinks, that’s not going to work,” he said.

Additionally, businesses will be required to have employees telework, if the work does not need to be done in an office. Gyms and fitness facilities will be allowed to remain open, with the current restrictions remaining.

The latest surge in cases in the state is due to people ignoring mask requirements in bars and restaurants, traveling to out-of-state hot spots and a lack of national coordination, Wolf said.

“This virus does not respect state boundaries,” he said. “We’re paying the price right now.”

Other states that did not take the approach early on to shut down have become petri dishes for the disease, Wolf said, including those in the West, South and Southwest that are seeing surging cases as well.

Cases continue to surge

Nearly 100,000 Pennsylvanians have been diagnosed with covid-19 since March, and nearly 1,000 positive coronavirus cases are being added each day in this recent surge of the disease since July 1.

On Wednesday, Allegheny County added 246 more cases and counted five more deaths because of the virus, and Westmoreland County had 21 more cases, according to state and local health officials. Statewide, there were 994 new cases announced, bringing Pennsylvania’s total to 97,667, according to the state health department.

There were 26 new deaths reported across the state, increasing the toll to 6,957 total deaths attributed to covid-19 as of Wednesday, according to state officials.

The new guidelines limiting occupancy at bars and restaurants to 25% capacity includes staffers in that count and prohibits seating at bars.

Indoor gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited; outdoor limits remain at 250 people, including staff at events.

Businesses are required to allow remote working; if that isn’t possible, businesses must comply with state business safety guidelines, and people must wear masks.

‘It’s a bad time’

Wolf acknowledged the challenge this poses to business owners and employees but said the latest measures are a targeted effort to stop the spread of the disease.

“It’s a bad time. If we do nothing, I can assure you, we’ll be looking a lot like Florida,” Wolf said.

On Wednesday, Florida exceeded 300,000 cases, adding 10,181 new cases. The state’s 112 new deaths brought its death toll to 4,521.

The virus is dictating Pennsylvania’s response to the pandemic, Wolf said.

“This is what we have to do. It may feel like a step backward, but it isn’t,” he said.

There’s no evidence the latest cases of covid-19 are less severe, Wolf and state Health Secretary Rachel Levine said.

This contradicts what UPMC doctors have said about their experiences with the disease in Pittsburgh.

Last week, Dr. Graham Snyder, UPMC’s medical director of infection prevention and hospital epidemiology, said the intensity of the disease in the latest cases isn’t matching the severity that was seen in the early stages of the pandemic.

Bar and restaurant owners react

Anthony DeNunzio, manager of DeNunzio’s Italian Chophouse & Sinatra Bar in Latrobe, said cutting indoor dining capacity to 25% will be difficult, but much less harmful than the total prohibition on indoor dining proposed last week.

“I’m thankful that we’re still open; that part is great,” he said. “We were definitely fearful that was coming last week, that we were going to be shut down.”

“It leaves it up to the people, that’s what’s important. If they want to go out and sit and eat in a restaurant, great. They should have that opportunity.”

DeNunzio’s, which has locations in Jeannette and Monroeville, took to Facebook to vent frustration with the proposed prohibition on indoor dining.

“As an industry we must come together and support each other in an effort to combat the unnecessary closure imposed upon us,” said the post, written by two members of the DeNunzio family. “We will gladly continue to follow the requirements to keep everyone safe, but closing is no longer an option.”

Anthony DeNunzio said the new restrictions allow for more flexibility.

“We’ll just have to make adjustments. We’ve been making adjustments and making changes since this happened,” he said.

John Longstreet, president of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, said he understands both the plight of lawmakers trying to manage the pandemic and the frustration of restaurateurs trying to plan for the future amid ever-changing regulations.

“To say (lawmakers) are trying to make decisions on the fly is an understatement, but also it’s somewhat understandable,” he said.

He said his organization regularly works with state leaders to try to find reasonable regulations that don’t overburden restaurants or consumers.

“There’s no question the restaurant industry is decimated. It was the first industry closed, and by all accounts it will be the last industry up and running,” he said.

A handful of people dined inside Tapped Brick Oven and Pour House in Hempfield on Wednesday afternoon. Signs posted on doors reminded people to wear masks while not at their table or the bar.

General Manager Greg Dawless, who was serving customers at the bar, said the health and well-being of customers and staff is a priority, noting they would follow any new guidance that came down from the state.

“If they feel that’s the best way to keep people safe, then of course we’re going to follow that,” Dawless said. “We’re always going to follow whatever guidelines they give to us for the safety of our patrons.”

He added that the restaurant would work to accommodate people the best they could.

“We still want people to come in and follow the guidelines,” he said. “We’ll do the best we can.”

Staff writers Jacob Tierney and Megan Tomasic contributed.