Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 7:25PM |  52°
MENU
Advertisement
In this file photo, a cook plates fresh food at a restaurant in New York City's Queens borough Nov. 20, 2017.
1
MORE

33 more Pa. restaurants ordered to close for not following Gov. Wolf’s COVID-19 orders

Stephen Speranza / The New York Times

33 more Pa. restaurants ordered to close for not following Gov. Wolf’s COVID-19 orders

HARRISBURG — More Pennsylvania restaurants are getting dinged for defying Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 mitigation orders.

As part of its latest round of inspections, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday it has ordered 33 restaurants to close for allowing patrons to eat indoors. The inspections took place Dec. 21-27.

Under the governor’s latest mandate, restaurants are not permitted to serve patrons indoors for three weeks ending Jan. 4. In addition, restaurants must continue to follow rules requiring employees to wear masks, while they offer carryout and takeout and serve diners outdoors.

Advertisement

Click to subscribe

The Department of Agriculture conducted 381 inspections. Fifty of those inspections were prompted by complaints filed about COVID-19 mitigation orders not being followed. Last week, the department announced 40 restaurants had been ordered to close for defying orders.

Other agencies in the state including the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement oversee COVID-19 enforcement. The agency recently cited dozens of licensed establishments in the state.

Restaurants that continue to defy the closing orders and operate in any manner, according to the Department of Agriculture will be referred to the Pennsylvania Department of Health for further legal action.

Advertisement

On Dec. 23, the Department of Health filed an injunction through Commonwealth Court against 22 restaurants that continue to defy the indoor dining ban despite being ordered to close. The injunction requires restaurants to close and seeks “compensatory damages and all costs relative to enforcing the provisions of the order.”

Complaints, whether general food safety concerns or those related to COVID-19 mitigation efforts, can be filed online.

The following restaurants in Western Pennsylvania were ordered to close between Dec. 21 and 27:

• Armstrong County — Yak Diner, North, Apollo

• Washington County — Harrington’s, McDonald; Ye Olde Kopper Kettle, Washington

• Westmoreland County — Tin Lizzy’s, Youngstown

First Published: December 29, 2020, 10:47 p.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (83)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Students at Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus in Lemont Furnace, walk to class on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.
1
news
Penn State to close some commonwealth campuses, President Bendapudi announces
The two Franks worked with pizza legends Chris Bianco and Chad Robertson to perfect their craft.
2
life
A beloved pizzeria is expanding beyond Brooklyn. First stop, Mt. Lebanon.
Broderick Jones of the Pittsburgh Steelers takes to the field before the game /a at Acrisure Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
3
sports
Steelers plan to move Broderick Jones to left tackle
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025.
4
sports
Steelers GM Omar Khan says 'all options are on the table' for 2025 QB plans
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) celebrates a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in the Northshore. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 27-14.
5
sports
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.25.25
In this file photo, a cook plates fresh food at a restaurant in New York City's Queens borough Nov. 20, 2017.  (Stephen Speranza / The New York Times)
Stephen Speranza / The New York Times
Advertisement
LATEST life
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story