Pennsylvania & Ohio: How do their coronavirus restrictions compare?

The signs we see on restaurants in Ohio are very similar to the ones we see in Pittsburgh.

Except there is one big difference — they are allowed more people inside their businesses.

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“Good luck to those in the Keystone State,” said Greg Froehlich.

That’s the message a longtime restaurant owner in Steubenville has for fellow restaurant owners in the Pittsburgh area.

“Make your decision whether you want to survive and stick with it,” Froelich said.

Froehlich owns Froeghlich’s Classic Corner, not far from the Pennsylvania border.

In Ohio, restaurants can operate at 50% capacity, and they're still struggling to make ends meet.

“The 50% is probably the maximum we are getting so it’s curtailed our revenue immensely,” said Froehlich.

Of course, here in Pennsylvania, just 20 minutes away, it’s 25% capacity.

We asked an infectious disease doctor who works with UPMC what the COVID-19 risk factor would be if restaurants here moved up to meet Ohio’s maximum of 50% occupancy? He said that 25% capacity is better because you can space people out further, which will reduce the risk.

Froehlich said he feels for business owners in the Pittsburgh area.

State health officials said there are no plans to make immediate changes to the restaurant guidelines.

Here’s a list of 4 comparisons between the two states

Travel advisories

In Pennsylvania, if you’ve traveled to one of these 22 states, you’re encouraged to quarantine at home once you’ve returned.

In Ohio, these are the five states on the list of travel advisories.

Schools

Some schools still have not released or approved their plans in Pa., which is much of the case in Ohio.

Sports

Pennsylvania Governor Wolf has recommended that all youth sports be postponed until 2021.

Ohio Governor Mike Dewine has not yet made a specific recommendation, but is expected to in the coming days.

Cases

Across Pennsylvania, on Thursday 991 additional positive cases of COVID-19 were reported, bringing the statewide total to 122,121. There are 7,409 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 24 new deaths reported, and 1,271,976 patients who have tested negative to date.

That’s compared to Ohio, which as of Wednesday afternoon, there have been at least 104,248 confirmed or probable cases in the state, 3,734 deaths, and 11,901 hospitalizations, according to the Ohio Department of Health. 82,310 people are presumed to have recovered from the virus in the state.

COVID-19 cases tied to bars, restaurants down 50% in Allegheny Co., health officials say (WPXI)

Cox Media Group