New restrictions expected in 5 area counties
By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
Today, Gov. Tom Wolf is expected to prohibit indoor dining at restaurants and bars in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland counties for at least two weeks.
The information came first from anonymous sources in Westmoreland County who asked not to be named because the details haven’t been released by Wolf. Washington County Commissioners Chairwoman Diana Irey Vaughan also said she expects mitigation orders to come from the state.
Irey Vaughan said the commissioners don’t feel they have the authority to issue any mitigation orders.
Wolf is also expected to limit outdoor dining at restaurants to no more than 50 customers and to return the limit on gatherings to no more than 25 people.
The ban on indoor dining will be reviewed in two weeks, and it could be lifted depending on the trend in new coronavirus cases.
The announcement comes one week after the Allegheny County Health Department issued an order to close bars, restaurants and casinos for one week.
ACHD Dr. Debra Bogen and county Executive Rich Fitzgerald held a press conference Tuesday and Bogen said she was preparing to issue a new order or update an existing order today.
Fitzgerald said it was just 20 days ago that the county had zero positive cases. It has now recorded three days, including Tuesday, with more than 200 cases.
“We’ve had entire weeks without 200 cases,” Fitzgerald said. “That means we have to do something.”
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