Gov. Wolf expands indoor dining capacity to 50%

Pennsylvania restaurants can increase their indoor dining capacity to 50% later this month, Gov. Tom Wolf said Tuesday.

The increase — double the 25% limit that has been in place since July — can begin Sept. 21, according to Wolf’s announcement.

He said restaurants must complete a self-certification process showing they’re complying with all guidelines and state orders. Restaurants that complete the certification process will be listed in a searchable online database.

“While our aggressive and appropriate mitigation efforts have kept case counts low, we must continue to take important steps to protect public health and safety as we head into the fall,” Wolf said in a statement. “At the same time, we must also support the retail food services industry that has struggled throughout this pandemic.”

Joe Kolek, owner of the Anchor Inn in Harrison, expressed skepticism after months of strict guidelines meant to mitigate the spread of covid-19.

“I won’t believe it until it happens,” he said. “It’d be great if it happens. That means we can bring a few more people back to work.”

Others said they were pleased by the news.

“It’s really about time,” said Anthony Roman of Roman’s Bistro in Forest Hills. “We thought we’d have it by Sept. 1, but we’ll take it. It just moves us in the right direction.”

When Pennsylvania counties moved to the green phase of the tiered reopening plan, restaurant and bars were permitted to operate at 50% capacity. Allegheny, Westmoreland and most other counties in the region moved to green June 5. As Allegheny County cases began to rise in late June, the county ordered restaurants and bars to halt on-site alcohol sales; on July 3, all on-site service was shut down. As cases across the state began to rise, Wolf on July 17 issued a statewide order that reduced indoor restaurant capacity to 25%, while permitting outdoor dining. Allegheny County rescinded its closure orders and largely adopted the state’s.

The loosened restrictions come at the right time as cooler temperatures move in, said Chad Kaylor, manager of Ianni’s Pizzeria in Delmont.

“We were worried about the fall and winter seasons,” he said. “Right now, with 25% seating, we only have two tables inside. Most of our tables are outside.”

Still, Roman said, the increased limit won’t fix everything.

“There’s not a large margin in the restaurant business,” he said. “We got to get the bars back open, the drinking back open. I just can’t wait until we can open at 100(% capacity).

In a news conference Tuesday, Health Secretary Rachel Levine said the state is at a point “where we feel like we can raise that occupancy limit, but do it in a very safe way.”

Levine said the change was made in time for fall weather, when temperatures will cool and outdoor dining may no longer be an option for restaurants. She said the relaxed capacity restriction is meant to accommodate those business owners.

“We have to be really careful,” Levine said. “We don’t want to drive the restaurant industry out of business. … In order to save the restaurant industry and those jobs, we’re making accommodations. We’re doing it at a time when our numbers are low, and we’re going to have to see how time goes.”

Curfew will remain for bars to stop serving alcohol at 10 p.m. Levine said that stipulation is geared toward college towns and college-aged students. The state has seen a significant increase in covid-19 cases among people ages 19-24, Levine said, as well as outbreaks at colleges in Pennsylvania.

The certification process will be online starting Sept. 21, Wolf said, and include requirements issued in the state’s guidance for restaurants; a statement indicating the owner has agreed to follow the guidance; the maximum capacity of the restaurant; and a statement indicating the owner realizes there are penalties for lying on the certification.

Restaurant owners who want to take advantage of the increase to 50% capacity will have to complete the online self-certification by Oct. 5, Wolf said. Other guidelines will remain in place, including social distancing and mask requirements. Alcohol sales must end at 10 p.m.

Restaurants that complete the process will be sent signage indicating they’ve completed the process and are part of the Open and Certified Pennsylvania restaurant database.

“We recognize the impact that the covid-19 pandemic has had on Pennsylvania’s small businesses, especially on our restaurants,” Wolf said. “Through this self-certification process, our commonwealth’s restaurant industry will ensure the safety and well-being of both employees and patrons alike, and will be able to begin a return to normal operations and financial recovery.”

Roman said it’s important all restaurants do what they can to keep the public safe — and make them believe that they are.

“We need the general public to know it’s OK. They can’t be scared,” said Roman of the Forest Hills bistro. “Just because they flip the switch and they say 50%, that doesn’t mean our business is going to double.”

Staff writer Teghan Simonton contributed to this report.