Reopening Philadelphia Restaurants

GENERAL INFORMATION
On May 27, Gov. Wolf released guidelines for reopening Pennsylvania's restaurants in the green phase and announced that restaurants in yellow counties may offer outdoor dining. While Philadelphia County has moved into the green phase, Philadelphia officials have not permitted indoor dining to take place and have issued stricter guidelines and requirements on restaurants operating in the City. Both state and local guidelines must be followed.

JANUARY 12, 2021 ANNOUNCEMENT
Philadelphia officials announced that indoor dining will be allowed to resume beginning January 16. The Health Department issued revised guidance on January 15, 2021. Items of note include the following:

• Limit indoor seating to 25% of the stated lawful occupancy for seated dining. If the lawful occupancy is unknown then the density must not exceed 1 person per 60 square feet in the dining area, including staff.
• Outdoor catered events with food are permitted with up to 25 people. Without food, it's10 people per 1,000 square feet, up to 2,000 people.
  

NOVEMBER 16, 2020, ANNOUNCEMENT
Philadelphia officials announced new "Safer At Home" restrictions in response to rising COVID-19 cases in the city. These restrictions take effect at 5 p.m. on November 20, 2020, and go until January 1, 2021, and could be extended or amended. Items of note include the following:

• Indoor dining at restaurants and other foodservice businesses is prohibited.
• All indoor gatherings and events involving people from more than one household are prohibited, in public or private spaces. This includes private events like weddings, showers, and funerals. 
• Outdoor gatherings and events are limited to 10 percent maximum capacity or 10 people per 1,000 square feet, not to exceed 2,000. Masks are required at all times and neither food nor beverages may be served.
• Restaurants with outdoor dining must reduce table sizes to four people and should be household members only.

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT  |  OFFICIAL ORDER

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020, ANNOUNCEMENT
The City announced that effective Monday, September 14, the capacity for outdoor events will rise from 50 to 150 people. There is no change for indoor event capacity limits, which remain at a maximum of 25 people.
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AUGUST 20, 2020, ANNOUNCEMENT
The City of Philadelphia announced that indoor dining may resume on September 8. Noteworthy items from this announcement including the following items:

• 25 percent capacity
• Tables have to have 4 seats or fewer
• Servers must wear face masks AND face shields
• Operators are encouraged to increase airflow via open windows and better HVAC
• Last call for all indoor and outdoor dining orders will be at 11 p.m. and establishments will be required to be closed for service by midnight.

​The City of Philadelphia also released an application for restaurants that wish to have more than 50 people at one time for outdoor seating. DOWNLOAD

JULY 14, 2020, ANNOUNCEMENT
The City of Philadelphia announced that any city-sponsored or sanctioned large event (parade, run, etc.) of 50 people or more will be canceled through February 28, 2021. Please note that this does not apply to private events, like weddings. PRESS RELEASE

JULY 3, 2020, UPDATE
The Philadelphia Health Department today clarified that the reason indoor dining has not been permitted is because so many operators are not following outdoor dining regulations. These operators and their blatant disregard of the rules and regulations are one of the reasons the City believes case counts are increasing.

Beginning this weekend (July 3), the City will no longer issue warnings to businesses are that blatantly violating standards. If an operation is in violation, it will be required to immediately cease operations. Further, the following additional steps may be taken:

• Increased fines
• Revocation of outdoor seating permit
• Revocation of food license which would also include a suspension of the liquor license

 
While businesses are required to meet all requirements from the State and the City (see guidance documents below), the primary focus and enforcement will be on:

• Ensuring a full 6 feet of social distancing between tables.
• Use of barriers if social distancing is not achievable.
• Requiring ALL employees to wear masks.
• Requiring ALL guests to wear masks except when they are seated. PLEASE NOTE: Any restaurant that allows a guest to receive service without a mask will be held responsible.

Until the City sees compliance from restaurants, indoor dining will not happen.

Guidance Documents

State Guidelines

• Wolf Administration Restaurant Industry Specific Guidance (Updated 9/21/2020) | VIEW
  • PA DOH FAQ Document on July 15 order | VIEW
  • PA DCED FAQ Document on Self-Certifying | VIEW
  • PA DOL Occupancy Guidance | VIEW 
• PLCB Guidance for Licensees in All Counties (9/22/2020) | VIEW
• PLCB Guidance for Licensees in Green Counties (5/29/2020) | VIEW
• PLCB Advisory Notice on Temporary Extended Premise (6/3/2020) | VIEW 
• Wolf Administration Process to Reopening Pennsylvania | VIEW
• Wolf Administration FAQs for Businesses Operating During the COVID-19 Disaster Emergency |  VIEW
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Decision Tree for Restaurants & Bars | VIEW
• Pennsylvania General Business Operational Guidance | VIEW
  • NOTE: Businesses must download, print, sign, and hang the "COVID-19 Safety Procedures for Businesses" flyer (You only need to print and display one version.)
    • English (8.5" x 11")  | Spanish (8.5" x 11")
    • English (8.5" x 14")  | Spanish (8.5" x 14")

Philadelphia-specific Guidelines

• Philadelphia FAQ for Operators (9/22/2020) | DOWNLOAD
• Philadelphia Supplemental Order for Gatherings (9/21/2020) | VIEW
• PRLA/Philadelphia DOH Webinar (9/2/2020) | WATCH
• Philadelphia Indoor Dining Video (posted 9/1/2020) | VIEW
• Philadelphia Indoor Dining Announcement (issued 8/20/2020) | VIEW
• Philadelphia Indoor Dining Guidance (issued 8/20/2020; updated 9/29/2020) | VIEW
• Philadelphia Outdoor Dining Guidelines (issued 6/11/2020) | VIEW
  • Philadelphia Temporary Outdoor Dining Instructions | VIEW
  • Philadelphia Temporary Outdoor Dining Application | VIEW
• Philadelphia Guidelines for Indoor Dining (issued 6/25/2020) | DOWNLOAD
  • PLEASE NOTE: There are some significant differences between the Philadelphia guidance and the state guidelines so please read the City's guidelines thoroughly.
• Philadelphia official issued mask wearing requirements on June 26, 2020 | READ MORE​

Enforcement Links

State

• Department of Health Online Complaint Form
• Bureau of Liquor Enforcement Online Complaint Form

Philadelphia

• Dial 311 ​
• Office of Food Protection: (215) 685-7495 ​

Best Practices

• US Foods Reopening Blueprint | DOWNLOAD
• 6 Great Ways to Social Distance Your Restaurant | READ
• How to Get your Guests to Order from your Restaurant Instead of a Delivery App | READ
• Design Strategies for Restaurants Reopening During the Pandemic  |  READ
• Ready Restaurants to Reopen with this Kitchen Checklist | READ​

Reopening Restaurants FAQs

What does it mean that the Pa. Legislature passed a resolution ending the Governor's Emergency Disaster Declaration?
At this time, nothing has changed. Businesses should continue following the guidance provided for the yellow and green phases of reopening and enforcement will continue for those who violate the orders of the Governor or Secretary of Health. The issue will likely go to the Pa. Supreme Court. However, Gov. Wolf outlined the consequences of ending the declaration.  Importantly, ending the disaster declaration would not end any orders issued by the Secretary of Health that set guidelines for business operations. PRESS RELEASE
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Would outdoor dining be a rooftop if they offered sit down meal service? 
A rooftop could be used as an outdoor dining space so long as it is not enclosed.  

Once my county moves to indoor dining, does outdoor dining go away? 
No.