House approves restaurant capacity bill Wolf says he’ll veto
Updated: 5:00 PM EDT Sep 23, 2020
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TO MOVE TO THE 50% CAPACITY. AND TWO, THE WEATHER. A LINE OF PEOPLE WAIT TO GET INSIDE KELLY O’S DINER IN THE STRIP. OWNER KELLY O’CONNOR SAID MOVING TO 50% CAPACITY ON MONDAY TO ALLOW MORE CUSTOMERS INSIDE ISN’T GOING TO EFFECT HER MUCH. >> THE WAY THAT MY DINER’S SET UP, WE’RE NOT ADDING MUCH MOR JUST A FEW TABLES IN EACH DINER WHICH IS PRETTY SAD BECAUSE HERE WE ARE AGAIN AT FALL AND THE WEATHER’S GOING TO CHANGE AND IT WAS REALLY COLD THIS MORNING, VERY COSTLY. REPORTER: BECAUSE SHE SAID THAT WILL IMPACT HER OUTDOOR DINERS. >> I HAD TO BUY HEATERS, OF COURSE THE PROPANE, ONE TANK IN EACH THING AND IT LASTS ONE DAY. I MEAN, THERE’S A LOT TO THIS. REPORTER: IT’S THE SAME CONCERN FOR THE OWNER OF 80 ACRES RESTAURANT IN PLUM, DON WINKIE. >> 50% IS BASICALLY JUST GOI TO OFFSET WHAT WE’RE LOSING FROM OUTSIDE DINING BUT WE’RE TRYING TO TRACK DOWN SOME OUTSIDE HEATERS. THEY’RE HARD TO FIND, KIND OF LIKE BICYCLES. REPORTER: HE SAID IT WOULD BE EASIER IF THE STATE WOULD ALLOW HIM TO REOPEN HIS BAR, BUT GOVERNOR WOLF ISN’T ALLOWING THAT JUST YET. >> THIS WAS MINE AND MY WIFE’S DREAM TO HAVE OUR OWN PLACE. WE PUT EVERYTHING WE HAVE INTO IT AND I’M GOING TO PUT EVERYTHING I HAVE INTO IT NOW TO KEEP IT GOING. THAT’S ALL YOU CAN DO. >> O’CONNOR SAID IT’S FORTUNATE THEY HAD GOOD WEATHER OVER THE SUMMER BECAUSE IT KEPT THEM ALIVE. THAT THEY WILL SOON BE ALLOWED TO FULLY OPEN UP. >> IT’S OVERWHELMING SOMETIMES AND HOPEFULLY WITH FAITH AND GOOD CUSTOMERS AND GOOD FOOD EVERYBODY WILL KEEP COMING B
House approves restaurant capacity bill Wolf says he’ll veto
Updated: 5:00 PM EDT Sep 23, 2020
The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday approved a bill to loosen pandemic restrictions on bars and restaurants, a proposal the governor has said he will veto.Lawmakers voted 145 to 56 in favor of the bill, which would end a requirement that customers buy food when they purchase alcohol and would allow people to be served drinks at bars.All Republicans voted “yes,” while the Democratic caucus was roughly split.The bill would also 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 it would make it easier for restaurants to adapt adjacent outside areas to serve customers.Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration this week raised allowable capacity from 25% to 50% for restaurants that can certify they meet state and federal standards for mask wearing, social distancing and hours of operation.
The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday approved a bill to loosen pandemic restrictions on bars and restaurants, a proposal the governor has said he will veto.
Lawmakers voted 145 to 56 in favor of the bill, which would end a requirement that customers buy food when they purchase alcohol and would allow people to be served drinks at bars.
All Republicans voted “yes,” while the Democratic caucus was roughly split.
The bill would also 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 it would make it easier for restaurants to adapt adjacent outside areas to serve customers.
Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration this week raised allowable capacity from 25% to 50% for restaurants that can certify they meet state and federal standards for mask wearing, social distancing and hours of operation.
