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.

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 7/15/2020) | VIEW
  • Key Changes to the Guidelines include:
    • Prohibition from conducting operations unless the facility offers sit-down, dine-in meals or is serving take-out sales of alcoholic beverages. All service must be at a table or booth; bar service is prohibited.
    • Occupancy is limited to 25 percent of stated fire-code maximum occupancy for indoor dining, and indoor events/gatherings may not exceed 25 persons. The maximum occupancy limit includes staff.
    • Alcohol only can be served for on-premises consumption when in the same transaction as a meal.
    • Take-out sales of alcohol for the purposes of off-site consumption are permitted subject to any limitations or restrictions imposed by Pennsylvania law.
    • Non-bar seating in outdoor areas (i.e. tables or counter seats that do not line up to a bar or food service area) may be used for customer seating.
    • Social distancing, masking, and other mitigation measures must be employed to protect workers and patrons.
  • PA DOH FAQ Document on July 15 order | 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 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 but not in effect, yet) | 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​

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
​
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.