Restaurant group asks Gov. Wolf to allow limited dine-in service in yellow areas

PITTSBURGH — Bar and restaurant owners have been struggling since the COVID-19 outbreak started.

Many say they are barely getting by with reduced staff and selling just carryout food. Experts anticipate a $1.8 billion loss in sales in April alone.

Now a state restaurant group is asking Gov. Tom Wolf to consider changing restrictions on how restaurants and bars operate as the pandemic continues.

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The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage & Tavern Association is calling on Wolf to increase services in yellow areas as they wait for the final move to the green phase of reopening.

They also want limited outdoor seating, then limited indoor seating in the yellow phase of reopening, with strict social distancing.

In a letter to the Wolf, the executive director of the group, Chuck Moran said: "They were the first Pennsylvania businesses ordered to cease operations, and have been deprived of most sources of income for almost eight weeks now. All are under enormous economic pressure, and we are concerned that this will cause permanent closures for many.”

Ohio bars and restaurants are already moving toward limited outdoor seating this Friday, officials said. They want similar practices here in Pennsylvania.

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