New Restrictions Ban Indoor Dining in Pennsylvania

Governor Tom Wolf announced today that as COVID-19 cases continue to rise, he would be enacting temporary protective mitigation measures in Pennsylvania, including a three-week ban on indoor dining.

The new, limited-time mitigation orders take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, and will remain in effect until 8:00 a.m. on January 4, 2021.

The new restrictions include:

In-Person Dining and Alcohol Sales

• All in-person indoor dining at businesses in the retail food services industry, including, but not limited to, bars, restaurants, breweries, wineries, distilleries, social clubs, and private catered events is prohibited.
• Outdoor dining, take-out food service, and take-out alcohol sales are permitted and may continue, subject to any limitations or restrictions imposed by Pennsylvania law, or this or any other Order issued by the Sec. of Health or by the governor.

Indoor gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited, though “churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and other places of congregate worship are specifically excluded from the limitations set forth above during religious services, these institutions are strongly encouraged to find alternative methods for worship,” according to the Governor’s new release.

Outdoor gatherings of more than 50 people are also prohibited.

Entertainment Industry

• All in-person businesses in the entertainment industry serving the public within a building or indoor defined area, including, but not limited to, theaters, concert venues, museums, movie theaters, arcades, casinos, bowling alleys, private clubs, and all other similar entertainment, recreational or social facilities, are prohibited from operation.

“The work we do now to slow the spread of COVID-19 is not only crucial to keeping our fellow Pennsylvanians safe and healthy,” Gov. Wolf said. “It will help all of us get back to normal, and back to all of the things we’ve missed, faster. And it means more Pennsylvanians will be alive to celebrate that brighter future. This year, we show our love for our families and friends by celebrating safely and protecting one another.”

You can read the entire mitigation order online.