Governor Wolf Relaxes Some COVID Restrictions, Effective April 4th

On Monday, March 15, 2021, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf relaxed certain COVID restrictions on restaurants, bars, event spaces, and other businesses throughout the Commonwealth.

The announcement was made after Pennsylvania experienced a decrease in COVID case loads, hospitalizations, and percent positive rate coinciding with an increase in vaccinations. In a press release, Governor Wolf stated that the following modifications to the current restrictions will take effect on April 4, 2021:

Restaurants and Bars

• Restaurants may resume bar service;
• Alcohol service will be allowed without the purchase of food;
• The curfew for removing alcoholic drinks from tables will be lifted; and
• Indoor dining capacity will be raised to 75% of the maximum occupancy for those restaurants that are currently self-certified and for those that undergo the self-certification process, which involves agreeing to strictly comply to all public health safety guidelines and orders, such as the cleaning and mitigation protocols and other operational requirements contained in the Governor and Secretary of Health’s mitigation and enforcement orders issued on November 23, 2020, as amended. Those restaurants that do not self-certify may raise capacity to 50% of the maximum occupancy.

Outdoor dining, curbside pick-up, and takeout are still encouraged.

Event Spaces

• Indoor events will be increased from 15% of the maximum occupancy to allow for 25% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size; and
• Outdoor events will be increased from 20% of the maximum occupancy to allow for 50% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size.

Other Businesses

• Capacity for other businesses, including personal service facilities such as gyms, casinos, theaters, and malls, will be increased to 75% of the maximum occupancy.

Requirements such as mask-wearing and social distancing still apply.

Wolf concluded by stating that “…we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel. It’s time to allow our restaurants, bars and other service businesses to get back to more normal operations.”

See the full Press Release here

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact one of our labor & employment attorneys or call 814-459-2800.

For more information, please contact Sarah Holland.