Allegheny County Mulls Changes To Latest Restaurant Restrictions

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Allegheny County Health Department is reviewing how its mandates for bars and restaurants aligns with the Gov. Tom Wolf's similar order and will announce any changes to the county edict on Friday.

Wolf's excutive order restricts indoor dining to 25 percent of restaurant capacity. All service must be at a table or booth and bar service is prohibited. The rules for outdoor dining remain the same.

Additionally, alcohol sales at restaurants and bars will be limited to consumption with a meal. The order puts limits on gatherings: indoor gatherings are limited to 25 people and outdoor gatherings to 250.

Health department officials noted that the county can't be less stringent than the state, but could continue with orders that are more restrictive than what Wolf announced on Wednesday.

Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen did not indicate whether the county will roll back some of the mitigation measures, which include:

• A prohibition on indoor dining or alcohol consumption at bars and restaurants.

• The closure of indoor areas at bars and restaurants, except for through traffic.

• A three-drink maximum for diners in outdoor seating areas.

• An 11 p.m. curfew on outdoor dining.

• A ban on the use of tobacco products and e-cigarettes at all outdoor dining facilities and the Rivers Casino.

• The banning of events and gatherings of more than 50 people outdoors in the county.