Staff and wire reports
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania is imposing broad new statewide restrictions on bars and restaurants and larger indoor gatherings, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday, citing an “alarming escalation” in new coronavirus infections and heavily criticizing people who he said had disregarded public health orders.
Nightclubs will be shut down, bars will also be closed unless they also offer dine-in meals, and bars and restaurants will be limited to 25% capacity under Wolf’s order, which takes effect Thursday and also requires companies statewide to have their employees telework to the extent possible.
The new restrictions, coming months after Pennsylvania began reopening its virus-battered economy, risked major backlash in large swaths of the state where the virus has largely been kept at bay.
But Wolf warned that a “new surge is in the offing” that could eclipse what happened in the spring, when the virus killed thousands and sickened tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians.
The Democratic governor said people who refused to wear a mask or abide by social distancing requirements while patronizing bars and restaurants are responsible in part for the virus’s resurgence.
“They are annoyingly spreading, or annoyingly picking up, the virus. This carelessness has resulted in pockets of super-spreading,” Wolf said.
He also cited out-of-state travel to virus hotspots, and blamed states in the South and West for “not committing to the things they should’ve done to keep this virus from spreading.”
“We did everything we should’ve done, we were responsible, and yet we’re paying the price right now,” he said.
“We’re already at a tipping point where we really have to act. We don’t want to become Florida. We don’t want to become Texas. We don’t want to become Arizona. We have got to act now,” said Wolf, naming three states where the virus has been surging.
Under Wolf’s order, Indoor events and gatherings of more than 25 people will be prohibited. And businesses will be required to have their employees work remotely to the extent possible.
A group representing tavern owners said it’s “not a good situation” and asked for financial relief.
“It’s not going to help the struggling industry and we hope that the Legislature can come together to piece together a relief package,” said Chuck Moran of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association. “People have paid their license fees and are unable to use them. People have brought staff back and will probably have to lay them off again. It’s not a good situation if you’re a licensed tavern or restaurant.”
Closer to home, Mon Valley officials spoke out on the newly imposed restrictions.
“Today’s announcement is a bitter pill to swallow for business owners and employees who have played by Gov. Wolf’s arbitrary rules for months at great expense,” said Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township. “We have seen exactly zero evidence from the Wolf administration that these venues are responsible for the recent increase in infections in Pennsylvania, so it is unclear why they are punishing those businesses with these new mandates.
“Asking restaurants to open at 50% capacity was a heavy lift for the industry, but the newest edicts from Gov. Wolf represent an even greater burden on an industry that is already struggling. These new restrictions will only lead to more businesses closing and more employees being laid off at a time when we can afford neither.
“This is yet another disappointing example of Gov. Wolf taking broad action without consulting the General Assembly or county officials whose perspectives are vital in the fight against COVID-19.”
State rep Bud Cook, R-West Pike Run, instructed people on Wednesday affected by the latest restrictions to not file a new unemployment claim.
“The Governor has reimposed certain restrictions on bars, nightclubs and restaurants,” Cook said. “This will impact many of our friends and neighbors who make their living in the service industry. There may be a number of individuals who need to re-open unemployment claims. If you, or someone you know already filed a claim within the last year applying for benefits, they should not file a new claim. Opening a new claim when they should re-open their claim will cause problems and delays.
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