Restaurants to resume dine-in services while professional sports to resume competition

On Friday, the counties of Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Montour, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Venango, and Warren will be the first to move into the green phase of Governor Tom Wolf's reopening plan. 

As more Pennsylvania counties shift to yellow and green phases, Wolf issued an order on Wednesday to clarify guidelines and actions expected of businesses, eateries, and professional sports. 

Orders by Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine highlight some changes to how certain counties can operate amid COVID-19 concerns.

 Specific provisions within the orders include guidance on the following.

• Personal care services: Hair salons and barber shops should be by appointment only; gyms and spas are also encouraged to function with appointments or reservations.
• Large gatherings: Groups of over 250 people will continue to be prohibited. This includes concerts, festivals, fairs, conferences, sporting events, movie showings, and theater performances.
• Places of worship such as churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, etc.: Social distancing and other mitigation measures such as masking at their gatherings are strongly encouraged.
• Prison and hospital visitation: Visiting is subject to the discretion of the facility. Those who interact with residents and patients should be conscious of good hygiene. However, nursing home visitation restrictions will initially remain in place.

In collaboration with the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, Wolf's administration created guidelines for dining in yellow and green phases. 

Yellow Phase Outdoor Dining

Effective June 5, restaurants and retail food service businesses within yellow counties will be allowed to include dine-in service in outdoor seating. Indoor areas must remain closed while outdoor patrons being served must be seated at a table. Furthermore, things such as self-serve food and drink, condiments on tables, and reusable menus are strictly prohibited. 

Green Phase Dining

Restaurants and bars within green counties are permitted to provide take-out and delivery and may also open indoor and outdoor dine-in services as long as businesses comply with guidelines and maximum occupancy limits. 

No business is required to conduct in-person operations and should not do so if unable to follow applicable guidance.

Provisions specific to mask-wearing, table-spacing, occupancy limits, sanitization, and implementation of a COVID-19 prevention plan, are among other provisions to ensure worker and customer safety.

Food businesses in counties of the red phase may continue to only provide take-out and delivery sale.

Professional Sports Guidance

Pennsylvania's professional sports teams look to resume competition after working with the Wolf Administration to develop appropriate guidance.

Professional sports in the yellow and green phases of reopening can now practice or play without in-person spectators a COVID-19 safety plan has been developed and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Plans should include testing or screening and monitoring of all on-venue players and personnel and the absence of fans from the venue. Professional sports organizations are encouraged to contact the Wolf Administration to share their reopening plans and get them approved by the Department of Health.

To learn more about the safety guidance, go to on.pa.gov/3c77gmL.