Governor Wolf to allow outdoor dining in yellow phase; issues new guidance on professional sports - WPVI-TV

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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Governor Tom Wolf says professional sports can resume and businesses can allow outdoor dining in the yellow phase of his reopening plan.

On Wednesday, Wolf announced that beginning June 5, restaurants and retail foodservice businesses located in counties designated as being in the yellow phase are permitted add dine-in service in outdoor seating.

Roberto Guadagnini, owner of the Teca Restaurant on Gay Street in West Chester, was busy getting ready.

"We want to get everybody back to work and the faster, the better. It's time for us," said Guadagnini.

Just down the street at Side Bar and Restaurant, head chef Anna Yezuita was preparing take-out meals when she got the news.

"I think we might even try to do some sort of seating times, like reservations at noon then at 2 o'clock, so people aren't just showing up," she said.

But in West Chester, soon the tables and chairs won't be confined to just patios.

Mayor Dianne Herrin talked to Action News about a plan to close several blocks of Gay Street and parts of Market Street for an open-air market.

"We are working together to come up with a plan that's gonna work for everybody," said Herrin.

She says what they're designing is for more than just restaurants.

"We decided on areas where restaurants could have their tables and retail outlets could put out a tent," said Herrin.

All businesses must follow some restrictions including:

- Indoor areas, including bar areas, of restaurants and retail food service businesses must be closed to customers except for through-traffic. Non-bar seating in outdoor areas (i.e., tables or counter seats that do not line up to a bar or food service area) may be used for customer seating.
- Customers being served must be seated at a table.

Prohibitions are also included. The following are not permitted:

-Self-service food or drink options, such as buffets, salad bars, condiments, and drink stations.
-Condiments on tables; these must be dispensed by employees upon the request of a customer.
-Reusable menus.
-Refilling food and beverage containers or allowing implements brought in by customers.

For counties that will enter the green phase on Friday, dine-in service and outdoor seating will both be allowed as long as businesses follow strict guidelines.