4 Allegheny Co. Restaurants Closed For COVID-19 Violations

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Allegheny County Health Department has ordered four restaurants to close violating the state's latest coronavirus mitigation orders. Gov. Tom Wolf announced earlier this month that restaurants across the state would be subject to three weeks of occupancy restrictions in attempt to curb an alarming rise in coronavirus cases and deaths in Pennsylvania.

The edict prohibits indoor dining until Jan. 4. Takeout and outdoor dining are still available, with many restaurants offering those options.

Al's Cafe on McMurray Road in Bethel Park was ordered shut down for providing indoor dining, bar service and for removing previously placed closure placards. Over the summer, Al's owner Rod Ambrogi launched the Southwestern Pennsylvania Restaurant and Tavern Association to fight the state's coronavirus restrictions.

Also ordered to be shut down was Dave's Diner, on Freeport Road in Harmar, for providing indoor dining and removing closure placards. Il Pizzaiolo on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon and Gianna Via's on Grove Road in Whitehall both were closed for providing indoor dining.

There has been significant resistance to Wolf's mitigation measures. The Facebook group Pennsylvania Opening Businesses/ Defying the Governor has more than 67,000 members. Al's, Dave's and Il Pizzaiolo also are listed on thePAlockdown.com site, a page asking for support for businesses defying what is termed "Wolf's unconstitutional mandate."