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By: KDKA-TV News Staff
HARRISBURG (KDKA) – Citing falling cases and increasing vaccination rates, Governor Tom Wolf is relaxing some restrictions on restaurants and other businesses as well as increasing collection limits.
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From April 4, restaurants can resume bar service and alcohol can be purchased without food. There is no longer a curfew to remove drinks from tables.
Restaurant capacity in the dining room will be increased to 75% for restaurants that undergo the self-certification process. Outdoor dining, curbside pickup, and take-out are still encouraged, and there are still requirements such as mask wear and social distancing.
“I am just thrilled because this is such a positive step in the right direction for all businesses in Pennsylvania,” said Colin Serto, owner of Sienna Mercato.
The capacity of other businesses like personal service facilities, gyms, casinos, theaters and shopping centers will also be increased to 75% on April 4.
📢 As of April 4:
➡️ restaurants can resume bar service
➡️ the service of alcohol will be authorized without the purchase of food
➡️ curfew to remove alcoholic beverages from raised tables
➡️ Indoor catering capacity increased to 75% for self-certified restaurants pic.twitter.com/XCHDCVvy05– PA Department of Health (@PAHealthDept) March 15, 2021
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“Like all the other restaurants, we definitely suffered. We saw fewer people coming. It was tough, but we got over it and we’re just ready to move on and start having more people here, ”Serto said.
Regarding gatherings, indoor events will be allowed at 25% maximum occupancy and outdoor events will be allowed at 50%. This is an increase from the 15% inside and 25% outside that the governor has just implemented at the beginning of the month.
Wolf’s announcement is great news for wedding / event planner Caitlyn Wimer. His company, JPC Event Group, hosted 60 weddings in 2020. They were supposed to have 150.
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Right now they have 118 scheduled.
“It’s very helpful,” Wimer said. “A lot of our couples are very excited about this. And a lot of people who postponed came back and asked if they could take their initial date, which is exciting.
Company owner John Graf is hoping his wedding veins will soon see a bigger boost.
“What we hope is that the capacity will reach 50% as quickly as possible,” said Graf. “And then look at the data and take it from there.”
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Harrisburg Republicans have slammed the governor’s announcement, saying the help didn’t come soon enough and doesn’t go far enough for workers and small businesses.
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