PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Bar seating is allowed once again in Philadelphia. That's a step in the right direction, according to an industry advocate who hopes this is just the beginning of getting back to normal.
Social distancing rules are still in place. Groups of people from different households must be separated by at least 6 feet and establishments are required to install plexiglass in between the bartenders and the customers.
In addition, the city has removed the 50-seat limit on outdoor dining.
"It's been way too long. It's going to bring a lot of bartenders back to work," said Ben Fileccia with the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, who is happy to see the restrictions loosened up.
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"We're just really hoping that these little steps will gradually allow us to align with the rest of the state that has opened safely over the past few weeks," he expressed.
"Hopefully we'll get rid of the food mandate soon. Hopefully the curfew will go. And, you know, I really hope we get our parties and events safely operating in the city again very soon."
Philadelphia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said daily COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations are still too high to ease the restrictions any further for the time being. He also maintained that drinking at indoor bars is one of the riskiest activities for spreading COVID-19.
The guidelines are expected to be updated again April 30.