PRLA Restaurant & Lodging Matters Summer 2020

26 •  PENNSYLVANIA RESTAURANT & LODGING matters  •  Summer 2020 Local Items ALLEGHENY COUNTY BRINGS GUIDELINES IN LINE WITH STATE GUIDELINES Shortly after Allegheny County closed bars, restaurants, and casinos due to rising COVID-19 case counts in the county, county officials rescinded their original order and issued a new one that brought the county’s guidelines more in-line with the state’s July 15 order. There are a few differences between the orders and the more stringent County guidelines should be followed. The differences include: • Indoor and outdoor dining service must cease at 11pm in Allegheny County. • Cigarettes/e-cigarettes are prohibited in indoor and outdoor dining areas in Allegheny County. • Outdoor events in Allegheny County are capped at 50 individuals. These orders came just days after the County announced the ban of on-premise alcohol consumption at all businesses. Following the alcohol ban, PRLA initiated a conversation with Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald to collaborate on guidelines to reopen County bars and restaurants safely. ALLEGHENY COUNTY COVID-19 FIELD RESPONSE TEAM Allegheny County also formed the COVID-19 Field Response Team to perform assessments of restaurant operations. At bars and restaurants, COVID-FRT members will check for: • Tables spaced far enough apart to allow for physical distancing • Indoor occupancy capped at 25% • Staff and customers wearing masks • No bar seating and no smoking • Dine-in service ending at 11pm • Signs reminding customers of the safety precautions PHILADELPHIA PUTS THE BRAKES ON INDOOR DINING Right before the Fourth of July Holiday, Philadelphia officials confirmed that the City has not permitted indoor dining yet because so many operators are not following the outdoor dining guidelines. Philadelphia will no longer issue warnings to businesses that fail to comply with outdoor dining operating guidelines. Operations in violation will be required to immediately cease operations and additional fines and penalties could be imposed. As of now, indoor dining is suspended until August 1, though officials will revisit the start date each week. INCREASE IN CASES The Governor’s office has reiterated that they do not want statewide changes as COVID cases potentially increase. They are working with counties that are seeing an increase in cases to determine mitigation plans in those counties. PHILADELPHIA PREDICTIVE SCHEDULING Despite coronavirus changing the entire hospitality industry, the Philadelphia Office of Labor moved forward with a July 1 deadline requiring employers to provide good faith estimates of hours to existing employees under the Philadelphia Predictive Scheduling law. While predictability pay remains suspended for the foreseeable future, all other facets of the law remain in effect. PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL ACTION Before breaking for summer recess, Philadelphia City Council passed three bills that were signed into law by Mayor Kenney: • Bill #200344, sponsored by Councilperson Parker, caps third- party delivery fees at 15%, requires third-party delivery apps to disclose all fees, and disclose whether or not they have an actual agreement with the restaurant. • Bill #200328, sponsored by Councilperson Gym, authorizes employees to file complaints and take civil action against employers that are not following the state and city COVID operational guidance. • Bills #200351 and 200352 , sponsored by Councilpersons Domb and Henon, puts into statute current regulations that allow for sidewalk cafes, streeteries, and other extension-of- premise during the COVID pandemic. Council is expected to consider the Public Health Emergency Leave legislation when it returns to session in September. Regulatory Items PennDOT announced that expiration dates for driver licenses, identification cards, and learner’s permits, will be extended until July 31, 2020. PennDOT also announced that it now will include a nonbinary designation for Pennsylvania driver’s licenses and identification cards. LEGISLATIVE CORNER, CONT.