Following actions taken by other states amid the COVID-19 outbreak, all local restaurants and bars will have to close dine-in facilities starting Monday.
Gov. Tom Wolf’s office ordered late Sunday night that all restaurants and bars close their dine-in facilities starting at 12:01 a.m. Monday in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
“Businesses that offer carry-out, delivery, and drive-through food and beverage service may continue to do so, but eating and drinking inside restaurants and bars is temporarily prohibited,” the governor’s office.
State officials did not lay out details, but said businesses that do not follow the governor’s order “could face enforcement actions.”
“Social distancing is essential as more Pennsylvanians are testing positive for COVID-19,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “By taking these steps now, we can protect public health and slow the spread of this virus.”
State officials have been working through the weekend to gather input before making the decision. The order follows similar ones in California, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts.
Wolf’s office said state officials would “reevaluate and decide whether continued mitigation is needed” at the end of the 14-day period.
“Ensuring the health and safety of Pennsylvanians is the highest priority as the state grapples with a growing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, and as the virus continues to spread, it is in the best interest of the public to encourage social distancing by closing restaurants and bars temporarily,” Wolf said. “I understand that this is disruptive to businesses as well as patrons who just want to enjoy themselves, but in the best interest of individuals and families in the mitigation counties, we must take this step.”
The closure of dine-in services is bound to have an impact on small businesses and the overall local economy, especially among hourly workers of local establishments.
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and health officials will be reaching out to businesses to offer guidance and information on programs to mitigate the financial impact of closures.
On Saturday, Wolf shuttered the majority of state facilities in Bucks County and requested non-essential businesses close. County officials urged “calm” and urged people to not go out if they feel ill.
