Statement: Governor’s Change Of Event Capacity Further Hurts Small Business Taverns And Licensed Restaurants
The following is a statement from Chuck Moran, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, concerning today’s announcement from Governor Wolf to change event and gathering capacity limits.
Starting Friday Governor Wolf plans to allow increased attendance at events and gatherings, using new math that has many scratching their heads and wondering.
Two things stand out to us. First, where’s the science in the new math? And, second, the new math does more harm to small business taverns and licensed restaurants that can offer discrete gatherings.
Let’s first look at the science in the numbers. Using the Governor’s new math, an event with an indoor capacity of 2,000 people can have 400 attend, while another location that can handle 2,500 is only allowed 375.
Where’s the COVID-19 science in that?
Now, let’s look at the continued damage being inflicted on our mom-and-pop establishments. Our average Member has 100 or less seats. Previously they could have 25 people for a discrete gathering. Now it’s down to 20 with the latest math from the Governor.
The Governor’s decision is confusing, lacks science, and picks winners and losers.
While he may have thought he was helping the overall industry, Governor Wolf just put another nail in the coffin of your neighborhood, family-owned taverns and licensed restaurants.
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About the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association
The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association is a statewide association based in Harrisburg, representing small business taverns and licensed restaurants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Association formed in 1941, reorganized in 2019, and today advocates for best practices and rights within the industry as well as best experiences for patrons.
Members of the media interested in an interview on this topic should call (717) 232-8671.