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Smart Talk Wednesday: Restaurant/bars want restrictions loosened

  • Scott LaMar
A man walks out of the Porch restaurant with his takeout order on Thursday, July 9, 2020 in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Due to a spike in COVID-19 infections, service at restaurants has been limited to takeout for the past week. Beginning Friday, restaurants will re-open for outside dining only.

 Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo

A man walks out of the Porch restaurant with his takeout order on Thursday, July 9, 2020 in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Due to a spike in COVID-19 infections, service at restaurants has been limited to takeout for the past week. Beginning Friday, restaurants will re-open for outside dining only.

A coalition of central Pennsylvania restaurant and bar owners are encouraging lawmakers to support a bill that would make changes to Gov. Tom Wolf’s latest coronavirus mitigation restrictions.

Earlier this week, the establishments were allowed to host half as many customers as normal inside their businesses — if they certify with the state.

The bars and restaurant owners say the rules are onerous and is still costing them business and many may not survive.

They are asking that restaurant operations and private events be restored to a minimum of 50% capacity with continued social distancing and health barriers, eliminate the requirement that a meal must be purchased to get an alcoholic beverage, allow for bar seating with social distancing and health barriers.

Two restaurant owners appear on Wednesday’s Smart Talk to explain why they’re seeking the changes.

 

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