PA State Police To Strictly Enforce Closures Of Bars, Restaurants

PENNSYLVANIA — As the coronavirus outbreak continues, the Pennsylvania State Police will strictly enforce the closure of bars and restaurants, they announced Wednesday. While facilities may remain open for takeout, no on-premises consumption of food or drink is permitted.

While an order to this effect was already issued by Gov. Wolf, the precise consequences for remaining open, and the enforcement mechanisms which could be employed by authorities during this unusual time, remained unclear. The state's coronavirus cases are rapidly growing, and were up to 185 as of Thursday morning.

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“Medical experts and public health professionals from around the world agree the best step we can take to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to stop gathering in public spaces,” Board Chairman Tim Holden said in a statement. “Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures, and this decision is not made lightly. But saving lives and protecting the health and safety of our communities is our highest priority right now.”

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Any facility that remains open will face a citation from the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, suspension of operating authority from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, and could potentially be shut down for good. Citations could also put an establishment's liquor license at risk.

The full impacts of these new enforcement measures go into place at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 18.

To clarify, no establishment, whether it is a bar, restaurant, hotel, brewery, winery, catering club, distillery, or sacramental wine licensee, may allow food or beverage consumption on-site.

Grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations remain open. Other businesses that are considered essential may also remain open including food processing, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, trash collection, household goods stores, home repair, hardware, and auto repair, pharmacy and other healthcare facilities, post offices and shipping outlets, insurance, banks, laundromats, pet stores, warehousing, storage and distribution, and hotel and commercial lodging.

Authorities also clarified that beer distributors are not being mandated to close, but they are strongly encouraged to implement social distancing best practices.

Complaints regarding any violations should be reported to 1-800-932-0602 or through the state's online complaint form.