PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association Wednesday held a free COVID-19 test giveaway for hospitality workers at the Shambles in Queen Village.
Ben Fileccia, director of operations and strategy for the PRLA, explained that his organization was able to secure funds to help those who are employed in the state’s second-largest industry continue to work.
“With a grant from the William Penn Foundation, we were able to secure a bulk order of tests that we ordered through Centennial Pharmacy," said Fileccia.
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“If you’re not working and you don’t have the income coming in, and then to go out and have to be able to buy tests as well, it’s just a real struggle.“
PRLA gave a pack of two rapid tests to each person who stopped by the giveaway.
Marquez Andrews, general manager of Spanish restaurant Amada in Old City, said he encouraged all his employees to swing by.
“It really just helps us with scheduling, and really just lets us know where everybody is healthwise," said Andrews.
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"As we’ve been seeing, there’s a lot of breakthrough cases, so even if you are feeling great or you’ve been around someone that might have been exposed, I always encourage my staff to, If they can, get a test.“
David Uter, who works at both the Mediterranean restaurant Stina in Newbold and the Four Seasons Hotel, said he needed a negative test in order to return to work after the holidays.
"I’m not going to pay for it and I think it’s only fair. It’s your business, not mine. Why should I foot the bill for your business?” he said.
"That’s a lot of money. $25? I mean, obviously, it’s a necessity, but I wasn’t buying it. If you want me to take it, I would assume the restaurant or wherever you work should pay for it. I think it’s only fair.“
“It’s really tough out there right now," Fileccia added.
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"Already we're dealing with a labor shortage, and now we’ve seen many restaurants close up because they’ve had so many employees out sick that they just couldn’t have the staff to open up their restaurants.“
Fileccia explained that the PRLA is also running a COVID-19 test reimbursement program for restaurant owners, accessible through their website.
In the meanwhile, Gibran Medina with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health said if you do take an at-home test, the city is asking that you register your results with them. You can do that using a QR code, pictured below.
“It does make a difference in terms of tracing the contacts, Knowing what areas are more exposed than others, mapping the city in terms of what needs each one neighborhood has over others," said Medina. "It does help.“
Click here for the PRLA Restaurant COVID-19 test reimbursement program.
