PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald says he thinks it's time for businesses currently still shuttered to get back to work.
During a news conference Wednesday, Fitzgerald said he has spoken with many business owners and says they have taken extensive steps to ensure their customers stay safe when they reopen.
Fitzgerald says restaurants with outdoor dining, bars, hair and nail salons, barbershops and gyms that remain closed are facing an extraordinary financial strain.
"It's probably time for the state to really consider moving some of these businesses that have very, very sound plans," said Fitzgerald.
He suspects restaurants with outdoor seating will be the next businesses to open.
Fitzgerald says he is talking to Governor Wolf and his team multiple times a week and has expressed his concern for the businesses that remain closed.
While it is not known how long the area will be in the yellow phase, he suggests that certain businesses may be allowed to reopen in the yellow phase like when construction projects were allowed to resume in the red phase.
"My sense is the state is considering that . . . maybe within the next few weeks."
Fitzgerald adds he suspects more information will be made available in late May or early June.
"The need is there both from the customers and the people that want to go back to work."
While he doesn't have the power to reopen the businesses still closed, Fitzgerald says he will continue to lobby for those to reopen.
Fitzgerald and Allegheny County Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen say the first week in the yellow phase has been successful thus far.
Fitzgerald says businesses are still encouraging employees to work from home when they are able to.
While the numbers continue to be lower in the county, Bogen says we won't know if there is a spike in cases until the next 10 to 14 days.
With Memorial Day celebrations planned for many people this weekend, Dr. Bogen encourages people to assign one person to handle cooking food and utensils to lessen contamination as well as social distancing at gatherings and keeping a mask on when you can.
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