State Police Warn 77 Bars For Violating Coronavirus Protections

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania State Police last week issued warnings to 77 liquor-serving businesses for violating health and safety requirements intended to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

The warnings resulted from a July 6 to July 12 enforcement period in which officers inspected 4,360 alcohol-serving restaurants and bars to check for compliance, state police said in a release Monday.

Inspections are unannounced and can happen anywhere within Pennsylvania, police said. Inspections generally focus more heavily on areas with higher rates of virus transmission.

In a statement, Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement Major Jeffrey Fisher said inspections and enforcement are intended to help keep employees and customers safe.

“Our officers continue to ensure licensed liquor establishments are taking the necessary steps to keep their customers and employees safe during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Fisher said.

Restaurants and bars in Pennsylvania are required to enforce the wearing of masks for customers and employees, create a distance of at least six feet between tables or parties and enforce maximum indoor and outdoor occupancy limitations.

A business that violates health and safety requirements could incur a fine of up to $1,000 and a suspension or revocation of its liquor license.

All told, 77 businesses were given warnings for violating COVID-19 mitigation efforts. No businesses were given a "notice of violation" citation.

Authorities said businesses are first warned for the violation and given ample time to correct an issue before a citation is issued.

Warnings were issued as follows:

• Philadelphia — 4
• Wilkes-Barre — 1
• Harrisburg — 24
• Pittsburgh — 18
• Altoona — 0
• Williamsport — 11
• Punxsutawney — 2
• Erie — 9
• Allentown — 8

Patrons can report businesses disregarding mitigation efforts by calling 1-800-932-0602 or via an online complaint form.