{"id":35137,"date":"2020-07-15T16:26:11","date_gmt":"2020-07-15T20:26:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=35137"},"modified":"2020-07-15T16:36:58","modified_gmt":"2020-07-15T20:36:58","slug":"wolf-moves-to-shut-bars-limit-restaurant-capacity-as-covid-19-number-spike-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=35137","title":{"rendered":"Wolf moves to shut bars, limit restaurant capacity, as COVID-19 numbers spike again"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Mike McGann<\/strong>, Editor, The Times<\/em> @mikemcgannpa<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Bar service is going to be limited again in Pennsylvania as COVID-19 cases are growing again in the state.<\/p><\/div>\n

With COVID-19 numbers starting the creep up again in Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf is hitting the brakes \u2014 especially when it comes to bars and restaurants \u2014 because people within the state aren\u2019t always wearing masks, too many people are ignoring social distancing, too many people have traveled to or are visiting from COVID hot spots and because of the failed national response to the pandemic.<\/p>\n

While the pandemic is running out of control in many southern states \u2014 states that opened much more aggressively than Pennsylvania \u2014 the state has seen a concerning growth in new cases over the last couple of weeks and are moving to limit the outbreak.<\/p>\n

Wolf announced Wednesday that bars that do not serve food will again have to close \u2014 except for take out drinks, as permitted. Physical bars within restaurants will also have to close \u2014 and restaurants will now be limited to just 25% of capacity, down from the 50% permitted in the Green phase. The order takes effect at midnight, July 16.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring the past week, we have seen an unsettling climb in new COVID-19 cases,\u201d Gov. Wolf said. \u201cWhen we hit our peak on April 9, we had nearly two thousand new cases that day with other days\u2019 cases hovering around 1,000. Medical experts looking at the trajectory we are on now are projecting that this new surge could soon eclipse the April peak. With our rapid case increases we need to act again now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chester County\u2019s Commissioners issued a statement Wednesday afternoon, supporting Wolf\u2019s decision, saying it is the best way to prevent a wider shut down.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must be prepared to resist the potential wave of COVID-19 coming from other regions of the US,\u201d said the statement issued on behalf of Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline. \u201cWhile it is challenging \u2013 and yes, frustrating \u2013 to implement an increase in restrictions, we believe that this is the right step to take, to avoid the move back to shutting down that other states have had to do.<\/p>\n

Chester County is distinctive in the breadth of investigation, contact tracing and testing that has ensured our readiness to adapt.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the announcement, Wednesday afternoon, all businesses in the retail food services industry, including restaurants, wineries, breweries, private clubs, and bars, are permitted to provide take-out and delivery sales of food, as well as dine-in service\u00a0in both indoor and outdoor seating areas so long as they strictly adhere to the requirements of the guidance, as required by the order, including:<\/p>\n