On July 15, Governor Tom Wolf and Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine both signed orders targeting bars, restaurants and mandating telework where possible. They took effect on July 16, leaving these businesses little time to adjust. In essence, the latest edicts ban bar service; prohibit the sale of alcohol unless food is also ordered; and limit occupancy to 25%, including staff. Indoor gatherings of more than 25 people and outdoor get-togethers of more than 250 people are barred.
The Downtown Bethlehem Association’s Board of Directors has released the following statement Regarding Governor Tom Wolf’s merchant restrictions starting 12:01a.m., July 16th
The merchants of the DBA (Downtown Bethlehem Association) have complied with every mandate handed down since the beginning of COVID-19 mitigation in Pennsylvania and are devastated by the recent restrictions hurting our employees, businesses and the economy at large.
We, restaurants specifically, committed to follow the safety standards provided by the PA Department of Health and the CDC (Center for Disease Control), and we did. We committed to ensuring the well-being of our employees and customers with our PPE usage and extra cleaning protocols, and we did.
We have signed the #VowoftheValley, a Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce initiative designed to provide clear recognition for the commitment made by businesses, large and small, to protect the health, safety and well-being of employees and customers. This means all federal, state, and local public health guidelines are vowed to be followed at any location with The Vow of The Valley designation.
Mandates with only hours notice create upheaval in our small businesses. We must be able to serve our customers or we will not be here to serve them in the future.
The Downtown Bethlehem Association Board of Directors urges a reversal in this mandate, at least in Lehigh and Northampton Counties, and for government officials to hold accountable those who are not compliant with mandated guidelines.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Tuesday, July 21, 2020
19 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with the DBA -- the restrictions put in place since March are devastating to so many and it seems as though little thought was put into this one. Perhaps if Wolf or Levine owned a restaurant, they'd look the other way. Still thinking yellow is in our future (should check with Murray and Cuomo on that).
ReplyDelete5:05, and if you had been directly affected by COVID-19, you'd think differently.
ReplyDeleteNot all downtown restaurants are practicing social distancing & I have reported MamaNinas repeatedly for not doing so. Many people stroll the street (Main) without masks and literally touch people sitting at tables all along the street. THis is a worldwide pandemic and the sooner people take things seriously, the sooner we can get back to business as usual!
ReplyDeleteRAT!
DeleteYou have reported a nonfranchise restaurant trying to stay alive, and repeatedly? What a good little Nazi you must be.
ReplyDeleteSo then, you're ok with them putting people's lives at stake by the lack of mandated social distancing for the sake of the almighty dollar?
ReplyDeleteNo, I oppose restrictions when they are imposed where they are not needed ansd believe social distancing has been observed.
ReplyDeleteI do miss going to the social clubs to hang out with my buds, but it was nice seeing PA a deep green (the only one in the U.S.) on the Covid chart. Take out and out door dining may just have to be the new normal of our future.
ReplyDeleteWhile Pennsylvania threatens restaurants, taverns, and social clubs with fines, closings and loss of licenses, I see no effort to refund, prorate, or suspend collections of fees and licenses for the time that the state has made these businesses plunge headfirst in to bankruptcy or permanent closure.
ReplyDeleteHey, forget enforcement. The virus will just go away, right?
ReplyDeleteI dislike little Nazis who report mom 'n pop businesses. I detest informers far more than misguided souls who feel they need no mask.
ReplyDeleteWolf took thevNazi route of penalizing every restaurant in the state for the transgressions of few. The local police & PLCB knew who the bad actor late night bars are & they failed to enforce the prior restrictions. If Mama Nina or Molly’s were violators then cite them but don’t penalize Appolo or Edge or Hotel Bethlehem.
ReplyDeleteEverytime I see the Chambers Tony he is being interviewed from his bunker. Why not at one of his memberships businesses
ReplyDeleteSo Bernie calls the folks reporting violators of safe distancing and masking requirements "little Nazis". A bit hyperbolic I'd say considering we're in the middle of a pandemic that could easily go south here in the valley with foolish behaviors like we've seen in the sun belt. The only person actually using fascist-like behavior is the idiot in the WH who has decided his base needs more juicing so let's send in the federal troops to handle local enforcement. THAT is who you should be calling out as a fascist if you want to be accurate Bernie.
ReplyDeleteComments in CAPSLOCK WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED.
ReplyDeleteHuntress, I absolutely agree that sending feds to pick people up in the streets and shoved them in an unmarked van is fascist behavior. Do not make the mistake of assuming I defend that tactic bc I oppose it. I oppose all fascist behavior on state and federal level.
ReplyDeleteAll democrats are not necessarily fascists although it would be beneficial to their cause. Give them some time to get out of their closets.
ReplyDeleteNow that Fearless Leader Trump is (sort of) pro-mask, how could it possibly be that anyone is left who resists them?
ReplyDelete