Pennsylvania restaurants can expand to 50% occupancy starting Monday

FOX 29's Jennifer Joyce reports.

PENNSYLVANIA - Pennsylvania restaurants can double their indoor occupancy to 50% capacity on Monday.

The increase comes more than two months after the Wolf administration, citing rising infection rates in some virus hot spots, imposed a new round of restrictions on the state’s beleaguered hospitality industry.

The order requires that serving alcohol for on-site consumption must end at 11:00 p.m. and all alcoholic beverages must be removed from patrons by midnight. This applies to both restaurants that do not self-certify to increase to 50% and those that choose to stay at 25%. There is no change to the requirements for the temporary sale of cocktails-to-go and takeout alcohol sales from bars, restaurants or hotels with a liquor license.

“As we continue to take critical steps to continue to mitigate the spread of COVI-19, we also recognize that this pandemic has taken a significant toll on the food services industry, so we must balance public health and economic recovery,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “These orders give restaurants the ability to increase indoor occupancy safely while giving customers confidence when deciding to patronize a restaurant.”

Any restaurant that wishes to increase to 50% indoor capacity on Sept. 21 must complete the online self-certification process by Oct. 5.

Restaurants can now access the online self-certification form on PA.gov/COVID.

Philadelphia will not be joining the rest of the state with increasing occupancy after the city resumed indoor dining in a limited capacity on Sept. 8.

Pennsylvania eateries can double indoor dining occupancy starting Monday

FOX 29's Lauren Johnson has a look at how the changes are impacting diners and restaurants while the rest of the state eases restrictions without Philadelphia included.

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RELATED COVERAGE:

Philadelphia health commissioner says city will not expand indoor dining capacities Sept. 21

Wolf: Pennsylvania restaurants can expand to 50% occupancy starting Sept. 21

Limited indoor dining resumes for Philadelphia restaurants Tuesday

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