Gov. Wolf Relaxes Dining and Business Restrictions in PA

Flickr/Governor Tom Wolf

Beginning April 4, restaurants will be able to resume more regular business practices following Gov. Tom Wolf's lift of some of Pennsylvania's COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

365 days ago, Pennsylvania ordered the shutdown of all non-essential businesses in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

Today, Wolf announced that certain restrictions would be lifted beginning on Easter Sunday, April 4. "As cases decline and vaccination rates climb, I'm announcing the lifting of targeted restrictions on restaurants and other businesses effective 4/4."

This includes an indoor dining capacity increase to 75% for "restaurants that are currently self-certified and those that undergo the self-certification process" of strict compliance to the Nov. 23 mitigation enforcement from the Gov. and Sec. of Health. Restaurants that choose not to self-certify can host up to 50% capacity.

Other restriction lifts include mandated food with alcohol purchases, removal of the curfew for drinks on tables in restaurants, and resumption of regular bar service. The mask mandates and social distance between diners will remain in effect until further notice.

Other facilities such as gyms, theaters, malls, and other entertainment areas will be allowed up to 75% capacity, while indoor events are held to 25% regardless of facility size. Outdoor events can host up to 50% occupancy but only if six-foot distancing is possible.

The release also notes Gov. Wolf stating that because of the decrease in cases, hospitalizations, percent positive cases, and increase in vaccinations, "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." Wolf noted mitigation efforts are still important and "… now is not the time to stop the safety measures we have in place to protect ourselves, our families and our communities."

A rundown of these updates includes:

• Bar service permitted at restaurants
• Alcohol service without the purchase of food permitted
• Curfew for removing alcoholic drinks from tables removed
• Indoor capacity expanded to 75% at self-certified restaurants
• Gathering limits expanded to 25% for indoor events
• Gathering limits expanded to 50% for indoor events
• Indoor capacity increased for other businesses to 75%, including personal services facilities, gyms, and entertainment facilities like casinos, theatres, malls