Petrarca announces restaurants will soon be allowed to increase indoor capacity to 50%

Northwest Delegation    September 8, 2020 | 2:07 PM

VANDERGRIFT, Sept. 8 – Effective Sept. 21, restaurants will be allowed to increase their indoor occupancy to 50% capacity, provided they take part in a self-certification process to ensure they will comply with all public health and safety guidelines, state Rep. Joseph Petrarca announced.

Last month, Petrarca, D-Westmoreland/Armstrong/Indiana, joined several legislators in sending a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf, demanding he lift the 25% indoor capacity restriction, citing the current restrictions as hurtful to these businesses, which have been following state health guidelines and operations.

“It’s clear the governor has heard our demands and those of our restaurant owners,” Petrarca said. “From the beginning, I felt it was extremely unfair to crack down on these businesses, especially during the pandemic. While I applaud today’s announcement and it’s certainly a step in the right direction, I won’t rest until they can fully reopen, and I am confident they can do so safely for their employees and their customers.”

The self-certification process, called the Open and Certified Pennsylvania program, is required for any restaurant that wants to increase indoor capacity by 50%. This self-certification must be completed by Oct. 5.

Documents and information regarding the self-certification will be available online beginning Sept. 21 and will contain the following items:

  • A list of requirements contained in the state’s current restaurant industry guidance and enforcement efforts. 
  • A statement that the owner has reviewed and agrees to follow these requirements.  
  • The business' maximum indoor occupancy number based on the fire code.
  • A statement that the owner understands that the certification is subject to penalties for unsworn falsification to authorities.   

Business owners should keep a copy of the self-certification confirmation they will receive by e-mail. Beginning on Sept. 21, restaurants that offer alcohol sales will be required to close those sales at 10 p.m., Petrarca said.

Once the self-certification is completed, restaurants will be mailed branded materials, such as window clings and other signage they can use for public display. Restaurants who self-certify will also be included on a searchable database.

Restaurant owners who have questions regarding the self-certification program can contact covidselfcert@pa.gov.