Pennsylvania Senate OKs Bill To Loosen Coronavirus Limits On Restaurants, Bars
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Legislation to loosen Gov. Tom Wolf's pandemic restrictions on Pennsylvania's bars and restaurants easily passed the state Senate on Tuesday. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 43 to 6 for a bill that would end the requirement that customers buy food in order to purchase alcohol and permit patrons to be served drinks at the bar.
It also would permit taverns and restaurants to operate at 50% capacity, or more if they can meet state and federal social distancing standards or erect appropriate barriers, and make it easier for restaurants to adapt adjacent outside areas to serve customers.
The bill goes to the House vote before it can go to Wolf, a Democrat.
Supporters say it will help the state's hard-hit restaurant and bar sector, and the measure has the support of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association.
The leisure and hospitality sector — which includes restaurants and bars — remains 170,000 jobs, or about 30%, behind where payrolls were in February, according to state data.
Wolf's administration this week raised allowable capacity at Pennsylvania restaurants from 25% to 50% for establishments that can certify they meet state and federal standards for mask wearing, social distancing and hours of operation.
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