Restaurants, bars deal with new regulations
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Restaurants and bars in the Mon Valley — and across the state — shut their doors to dine-in customers at midnight.
A similar move was implemented in five counties including Allegheny on Sunday, but was expanded to encompass the entire state Monday afternoon in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Businesses are able to offer carry-out, delivery and drive-through food and beverage service, but eating and drinking inside restaurants and bars is temporarily prohibited, leaving many worried about how to move forward.
“This isn’t a decision that I take lightly at all,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “It’s one I’m making because medical experts believe it’s the only way we can prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed.”
Before Wolf expanded the order, the River House Cafe in Charleroi already decided to follow the lead of the order issued in Allegheny County.
The business announced its decision Monday morning on Facebook.
“As small business owners, we feel a responsibility to protect the well-being of our customers and staff members at all times,” the post states. “Therefore, we have decided to abide by the CDC’s recommendation and do our part to help slow down the spread of the Coronavirus.”
The River House began take-out and delivery service at 11 a.m. Monday and will update patrons as changes are made.
Some restaurants in the area are altering their offerings.
The Clarion Inn/Duke’s Lounge in Rostraver Township is planning to offer 10% off to customers who place take-out orders.
Hotel guests will be able to order pick-up from the full-service restaurant, but will have to eat in their rooms and will not have access to the bar.
Larry Celaschi, a spokesman for the restaurant, said it’s a difficult situation.
“We have a full-service bar, restaurant and ballroom that hosts a variety of events,” Celaschi said. “We will be fully ready to supply our guests and the public with take-out service and will also be offering deliveries which will have to be paid over the phone with a credit card.”
Employees are coming in on a volunteer basis.
“We’re letting our employees decide if they are comfortable coming to work,” he said. “And many of them want to.”
Still, many employees outside of the kitchen rely heavily on tips for their income.
“We are all going to be going through the same thing,” Celaschi said. “This is a hard hit for the bar and restaurant scene. For all of us, but we have to take it as it comes and work together to get through this.”
For employees, the decision is a hard hit to their livelihoods.
Chelsea Huber, a server/bartender at 1933 Grill in North Belle Vernon, was worried when she woke up Monday and heard the decision for Allegheny County restaurants made on Sunday.
After Wolf announced the expanded mandate Monday afternoon, her fears were realized.
“I knew it was probably a matter of time before it would affect me, too,” she said. “It has me really stressed out.
“I can’t afford to be without work for two weeks.”
For Huber, like many other servers and bartenders in the Mon Valley, it’s her only source of income.
“Serving is my only income,” she said, “and I live alone so all of my bills are my responsibility. This is going to take my income for one week from about $700 to $800 to zero.”
She has not yet heard from management on how her restaurant will handle the news.
“I hope we somehow don’t have to close, but I know that’s more then likely not the case,” she said. “I’m just going day by day at this point and I hope once this is all over and we’re able to work again that business picks up as normal and isn’t impacted negatively for too long.”
Workers like Huber who are impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for unemployment and workers’ compensation benefits.
On Monday, Secretary of Labor and Industry Jerry Oleksiak said such claims can be submitted online for faster processing.
“As Pennsylvania and the nation implement mitigation efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, it is important to relieve some of the financial pressures our workers are facing so they can focus on remaining healthy and safe,” Oleksiak said. “The best option is for employers to offer their employees paid time off.
“If leave is not available and your job has been impacted by this new virus, you may be eligible for benefits either through unemployment or workers’ compensation. If you work in a job or industry that likely will be affected, prepare now by knowing what you need and how to file so your application can be processed quickly.”
Unemployment
Workers will be eligible for unemployment if employers temporarily close or go out of business because of COVID-19; hours are reduced because of COVID-19; workers are told not to work because their employer feels they might get or spread COVID-19; workers are told to quarantine or self-isolate or if they live/work in a county under government-recommended mitigation efforts.
More information is available at www.uc.pa.gov.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers could also be eligible for Workers’ Compensation if they are exposed to the virus in the workplace. To qualify for such a benefit, employers must file a typical “disease-as-injury” WC claim, which requires them to provide medical evidence that they were exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace.
Employers must be notified to file an “occupational disease” claim, which requires workers to show that COVID-19 is occurring more in their occupation/industry than in the general population.
Claims are reviewed and decisions are determined based on the facts and merits of each claim and the law.
If COVID-19 claims are denied, petitions can be filed with the WC Office of Adjudication.
