64 establishments warned for violating mitigation efforts

More than 60 warnings related to COVID-19 mitigation efforts were handed out over the weekend by Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement.

Officers visited 1,709 licensed liquor establishments from July 24 to 26 to make sure the facilities are adhering to mitigation requirements, including social distancing, masking and other health and safety requirements.

The Pittsburgh office was responsible for 18 of the warnings after visiting 383 establishments, both were highs in the state. Fifty-four businesses were visited in the Harrisburg area, and seven received warnings.

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Here is how the rest of the state fared: Philadelphia (7 warnings, 367 visited), Wilkes-Barre (4 warnings, 378 visited), Altoona (6 warnings, 100 visited), Williamsport (3 warnings, 81 visited); Punxsutawney (4 warnings, 59 visited), Erie (6 warnings, 81 visited) and Allentown (9 warnings, 206 visited).

Among other requirements, businesses and employees in the restaurant and retail food service industry must:

• Require all customers to wear masks while entering, exiting or traveling throughout the facility; employees must wear masks at all times.
• Provide at least 6 feet between parties at tables or physical barriers between customers where booths are arranged back to back.
• Maximum occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor seating must be posted and followed.

Shelly Stallsmith is a trends reporter for the York Daily Record. She can be reached at mstallsmith@ydr.com or followed on Twitter at @ShelStallsmith.