Restaurants across the state will be able to increase indoor occupancy from 25 percent to 50 percent starting Monday, September 21.
The governor’s office made the announcement Monday morning as pressure grew from the business community that 25 percent occupancy would not be enough for some eateries to remain viable, especially as colder weather is expected to hurt demand for outdoor dining.
The increase in occupancy will require restaurants to self-certify that they are following COVID-19 mitigation measures. The certification will be available to the public through a searchable online database.
The governor’s office said restaurant owners will be subject to penalties for unsworn falsification to authorities if they are not truthful while completing the certification.
“While our aggressive and appropriate mitigation efforts have kept case counts low, we must continue to take important steps to protect public health and safety as we head into the fall. At the same time, we must also support the retail food services industry that has struggled throughout this pandemic,” Wolf said. “The self-certification ensures that restaurants can expand indoor operations and commit to all appropriate orders so that employees and customers alike can be confident they are properly protected.”
Restaurants that self-certify will receive a certificate and also “Open and Certified Pennsylvania” window clings and other signage.
Restaurant owners with additional questions about the self-certification program are able to contact state officials at covidselfcert@pa.gov.
With a recent study showing only 40 percent of Americans were comfortable dining in local restaurants, the governor’s office said that “boosting consumer confidence is critical for restaurants.”
“We recognize the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Pennsylvania’s small businesses, especially on our restaurants,” the governor said. “Through this self-certification process, our commonwealth’s restaurant industry will ensure the safety and well-being of both employees and patrons alike, and will be able to begin a return to normal operations and financial recovery.”
Other mitigation guidelines like wearing of masks and ending alcohol sales at 10 p.m. remain in place.
A June survey of restaurant operators in the state by the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association found they were “not optimistic that their business will return to normal any time soon.”
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