[ad_1]
Brian Fritz is a lawyer representing the “Philadelphia Restaurant Owners Group Against Lockdowns” and is seeking an emergency injunction to ban indoor restaurants from closing at 5 pm Friday.
“We don’t have any reports or studies whether restaurants are linked in any way to infections. How is eating in a Philadelphia restaurant more dangerous than going to Lowe’s, Walmart, Wawa, or the city’s Christmas Village? said Fritz.
Business owners argue they should be able to operate under the security measures put in place in July when many spring restrictions were lifted.
The lawsuit claims the city’s “safer at home” restrictions on indoor dining are unconstitutional. (Read the trial HERE.)
Gyms are also taking a huge hit when the city’s new restrictions take effect.
Stephen Kindler is the president and CEO of a franchise group and says closing gyms doesn’t make sense, adding that there is no evidence of high transmission.
“I have four franchises within a mile of the NoveCare complex – the fact that the Eagles can train and the citizens of town can’t is a tough pill to swallow,” Kindler said. .
Dr Thomas Farley, the city’s chief health official, defended the city’s decision, saying the time is the riskiest for the virus to be transmitted.
“What was now safe is now dangerous with the change of weather. Many companies feel that they have security measures in place, of course they have, and I’m sure there is no spread there and that is true in many. many places. people than ever with the virus, ”Farley said.
The new restrictions come into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday and last at least until the end of the year.
City officials said dramatic action was needed to respond to an exponential growth in cases and hospitalizations.
Health officials announced an additional 765 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Philadelphia on Thursday. This brings the number of confirmed cases to 57,237.
The number of residents who have died from the virus in Philadelphia is 1,945.
Fears of major financial impact from Philly COVID restrictions
It was supposed to be the time when companies could make up for lost revenue, but the latest round of COVID-19 restrictions in Philadelphia derailed those plans.
On Monday, the city announced a list of measures to help curb the spread of the virus, including limits on gatherings and dining out.
RELATED: Southeastern Pennsylvania Suburbs Worried About Tighter COVID-19 Restrictions
“This impact will mean this year we will lose millions of visitors, billions of economic impact and tens of thousands of jobs,” said Jeff Guaracino of Visit Philadelphia.
Under these restrictions, indoor dining is banned, museums are closed, and large gatherings like parades – which draw tourists to hotels and nightlife – are banned.
One exception is the Christmas Village, but the usual festivities at Dilworth Park will be different.
Guaracino says they’re focusing on what’s open.
“Our concern is to support retail, small businesses, black and brown businesses, restaurants,” he said. “So they can survive it.”
RELATED: Restaurants and Gyms in Philadelphia Trying to Make It Work in Light of New Restrictions
Ben Fileccia of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association says the ban on eating inside is crippling business.
“We’re just going to see more and more people go bankrupt, more employees laid off,” he said. “The restaurant industry is the second largest employer in the state of Pennsylvania.”
Fileccia said the lion’s share of restaurants in the state are in Philadelphia and they need funding fast.
To date, the city of Philadelphia has received a combined $ 616 million between grants and federal funds for COVID assistance. The city is also urging the state to allocate a portion of the remaining $ 1 billion in CARES the state has received from the federal government.
“Based on our population, we ask Philadelphia to receive a direct allocation of $ 120 million from Pennsylvania’s remaining share of CRF funds,” city spokesman Mike Dunn told Action. News.
Meanwhile, Guaracino has said he is also looking at 2021.
“Tourism will come back,” he said. “We will get there eventually.”
The following restrictions go into effect in Philadelphia on Friday, November 20 at 5 p.m. and will last until January 1, 2021:
RESTAURANTS
* Indoor dining prohibited
* Outdoor meals are permitted, but require parties to be members of the household
* Maximum table size of four seats
* Take-out and delivery service may continue
INDOOR MEETINGS
* Prohibited indoors of any size, at any location
* Includes public and private events
* For example: indoor parties, group meals, football observation groups, visits between households, weddings, funerals, baby showers
OUTDOOR MEETINGS
* Gatherings limited to 10% occupancy or 10 people per 1000 square feet
* Cap for large spaces of no more than 2000 people
* No fans at football matches
* Masks must be worn at all times
* No food or drink served at outdoor gatherings to ensure people can wear masks
RETAIL STORES
* Allow with a reduced density limit of five people per 1000 square feet
* Application of mask usage by customers and employees
DESKS
* Employees must work from home, unless this is not possible
SPORTS (Youth, school and community)
*Not allowed
BUSINESS AND ACTIVITY CLOSURES
* Theaters, including cinemas and other performance spaces
* Bowling lanes, arcades and play areas
* Museums.
* Libraries. (Access centers may continue to operate. Curbside drop-off and pick-up services for customers are permitted)
* Casinos
* Recreational and sports activities for young people, community groups and schools
* Gyms and indoor exercise classes. (Exercise groups and classes can continue outdoors)
* Day services for the elderly (centers for the elderly and daycare centers for adults) remain closed
BUSINESS AND ACTIVITY CHANGES
* Hair salons, beauty salons, and similar personal services may continue to operate, but all staff and clients must wear masks at all times. These companies cannot work on the face or perform services that require the removal of masks
* Zoos can only use their outdoor spaces
* Parks, trails, playgrounds and sports fields will remain open for individual use only. (No group sports)
SCHOOLS
* Colleges and Universities: Online courses only (varsity sports may continue if their plan is specifically approved by the Department of Public Health and no spectators are present)
* High schools: online courses only
* Elementary and middle schools: in person authorized, in accordance with the safety guidelines of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health
* Child Care, Early Childhood Education, and Access Centers: In Person Authorized, per Philadelphia Department of Public Health Safety Guidelines
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS
* No more than five percent occupancy or five per thousand square feet
* Encouraged to keep services online
AUTHORIZED TO CONTINUE IN THE CURRENT DEPUT OF HEALTH. ORIENTATION
* Grocery stores and farmers markets
* Pharmacies
* Banks
*Construction
*Landscaping
* Home construction, renovation, repair and maintenance
* Manufacturing and warehousing
* Real estate operations and transactions
*Health services
* Home support services, such as home health services
* Taxis and carpooling services
*Transit
* Outdoor mobile food carts and trucks
* Hotels
* Drive-in events where people stay in their vehicles
* Daycare and early childhood learning centers
* Primary and middle schools
* Access centers for primary and secondary school children
The National Constitution Center is temporarily closed to the public until January 1, 2021
In accordance with City of Philadelphia health guidelines in response to COVID-19, the National Constitution Center is temporarily closed to the public until January 1, 2021.
The Center offers a range of free online programs and resources for learners of all ages. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Philadelphia museums overthrown by new COVID-19 restrictions
Philly places of worship pledge to persevere amid new COVID restrictions
The new COVID-19 restrictions in Philadelphia will have a major impact on places of worship, which at the moment can only operate at 5% of their capacity. As the Archdiocese of Philadelphia revises its guidance, some churches and synagogues in the city have a variety of innovative plans to pursue over the holidays.
Philadelphia area stores stock up as new COVID restrictions set to begin Friday
While more restrictions on coronaviruses are expected to begin on Friday, there appear to be fewer paper products on store shelves.
FDA approves first rapid virus test that gives at-home results
U.S. regulators on Tuesday authorized emergency use of the first rapid coronavirus test that can be performed entirely at home and provides results in 30 minutes.
Health experts warn of vacation travel and unnecessary COVID testing
Health experts urge caution ahead of the holiday season, asking you to think twice before you travel – and get unnecessary COVID-19 tests.
As COVID Cases Rise, No Need to Stockpile Supplies, Expert Says
As cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, consumers are stocking up and grocery stores are responding. But before you jump into a spending spree, there are a few things to consider.
CDC says masks protect you, not just those around you, in updated advice
As the United States sees a nationwide spike in coronavirus cases, the Centers for Disease Control has released new mask guidelines. The latest update says that wearing a face cover not only protects the people around you, but it also protects the wearer from incoming viral projectiles.
CDC releases updated Thanksgiving guidelines
The CDC released its most specific advice yet on Thanksgiving Monday, which points out that the safest option for the holidays is to only celebrate with people in your household or take extra precautions, like wear masks and keep your distance if celebrating with others.
How to wash your hands properly
Which masks best protect those around you?
What to do if you think you have symptoms of COVID-19
Coronavirus Testing Near Me
Copyright © 2020 WPVI-TV. All rights reserved.
[ad_2]
Source link