Governor Tom Wolf PHOTO/FILE –
As Pennsylvania’s rate of COVID-19 infections begin to climb since moving into the green phase of the state’s reopening plan, Gov. Tom Wolf is expected to issue new orders today that will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. July 16. This is according to a Facebook post by state Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon.
According to Diamond, the new orders will prohibit all bars from conducting operations unless they offer sit-down, dine-in meals. All service must be at a table or booth. Bar service is prohibited. Eating establishments will be limited to 25 percent of stated fire-code maximum occupancy for indoor dining. Indoor gatherings are limited to 25 people.
Diamond’s post also notes the following:
The maximum occupancy limit includes staff.
Alcohol only can be served for on-premises consumption when in the same transaction as a meal.
Take-out sales of alcohol for the purposes of off-site consumption are permitted subject to any limitations or restrictions imposed by Pennsylvania law.
All businesses in the retail food services industry, including restaurants, wineries, and bars, are permitted to provide take-out and delivery sales of food, as well as dine-in service in both indoor and outdoor seating areas so long as they strictly adhere to the requirements of the guidance, as required by the order, including:
Non-bar seating in outdoor areas (i.e., tables or counter seats that do not line up to a bar or food service area) may be used for customer seating.
Customers being served must be seated at a table.
Social distancing, masking, and other mitigation measures must be employed to protect workers and patrons.
Nightclubs are prohibited from conducting operations.
Teleworking is also being emphasized
Unless not possible, all businesses are required to conduct their operations in whole or in part remotely through individual teleworking of their employees in the jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which they do business.
Where telework is not possible, employees may conduct in-person business operations, provided that the businesses fully comply with all substantive aspects of the business safety order, the worker safety order, and the masking order.
All gyms and fitness facilities, while permitted to continue indoor operations, are directed to prioritize outdoor physical fitness activities. All activities must follow masking requirements as provided by the July 1 order, and must provide for social distancing requirements of persons being at least 6 feet apart.
