‘Don’t patronize restaurants defying state’s orders,’ local health department says

ALLEGHENY CO., Pa. — Health leaders in Allegheny County urged residents to again avoid gathering for New Year’s Eve as a way to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

However, county executive Rich Fitzgerald and health department director Dr. Debra Bogen also focused on increased enforcement of restaurants.

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Since the state’s new mitigation protocols went into effect, the health department said it’s inspected more than 40 food facilities where violations were noted. And in many cases, they said the violations were corrected upon re-inspection.

But Bogen mentioned a number of restaurants that were ordered to close for not following COVID-19 guidelines, including Carbonara’s, Al’s Café, Gianna Via’s Restaurant & Bar and The Crack’d Egg.

“Please don’t patronize restaurants that are defying the state’s orders or the health department’s orders,” Bogen said. “There are hundreds of food establishments throughout the county that are doing the right thing.”

Health officials mentioned other restaurants in Castle Shannon, Mt. Lebanon, Penn Hills, Bethel Park and a number of other areas in the county.

Bogen said during the press conference that the health department plans on taking more action, including legal, against some of these restaurants that have continuously violated the state’s coronavirus mandates.

This comes hours after Gov. Tom Wolf announced the temporary mandates over the holidays will expire on Jan. 4 as planned -- but some measures will still be in place.

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Gov. Wolf: COVID-19 restrictions will expire on Jan. 4