Pa. State Police Liquor Control continues covid-19 compliance checks

Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement officers conducted compliance checks at 1,876 licensed liquor establishments Monday and Tuesday to see if the businesses were abiding by covid-19 guidelines, officials said Wednesday.

Statewide, LCE officers issued one notice of violation and 48 warnings.

The unannounced compliance checks are focusing on areas with higher covid-19 transmission rates, officials said. During the visits, officers are checking to see that restaurants and retail food service facilities require customers to wear masks when entering and exiting the building, provide appropriate distance or barriers between groups, and adhere to maximum occupancy limits.

Pittsburgh establishments saw 601 compliance checks — more than any other area. Officers issued 13 warnings in Pittsburgh, tried for the highest amount in the state. Officers also issued 13 warnings in 42 checks in Harrisburg.

The lone notice of violation was issued in Allentown.

A notice of violation precedes administrative citations, authorities said. Officials did not identify the business that was issued the notice of violation, saying the investigation was ongoing.

Repeated violations of covid-19 guidelines — or other provisions of the liquor code — can put an establishment’s liquor license in jeopardy, police warned.

For more information, visit the enforcement page of the state police covid-19 portal.