BETHEL PARK (KDKA) – It was outside Al’s Café in Bethel Park where restaurant owners first met this summer to discuss coronavirus restrictions.
As of today, many of them will choose to follow a different set of guidelines than those implemented by the state due to increasing cases of the rapidly spreading coronavirus.
Photo credit: KDKA
“Because of financial desperation, they wanted to do what they wanted and had to do to survive,” said attorney Gary Scoulos, who represents the Southwestern Pennsylvania Restaurant and Tavern Association.
The group is part of something they call the “Restaurant Revolution,” which is happening all over Pennsylvania. It encourages restaurants to forget the 25% capacity limits issued by the Wolf administration and follow CDC guidelines while opening at full capacity.
Scoulos says it’s what stores like Walmart and Target follow, and that’s what restaurant owners want.
“Right now, the 25% is not working,” Scoulos said. “Economically, it makes no sense to open the business.”
KDKA reached out to the leaders of Allegheny County who say their COVID enforcement Task Force restaurants will abide if they do not follow the rules, and so will the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
However, some restaurants are ready to take the plunge.
“That we might be doing it, not everyone, every restaurant, dinner, catering, bar, tavern – they have to make their own decisions,” Scoulos said.
The association also sent letters to Gov. Tom Wolf was hoping to work something out, but they said the governor said the order would not change.
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