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Local legislators push to reopen restaurants in yellow counties

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Lanette Russell, wife of Brad Russell owner of Pier 87 serves lunch to a customer on the deck of the restaurant. After opening up for outdoor dining, the restaurant was told to stop, but order can still be taken on the deck at the restaurant, as well as by phone.

Local lawmakers are pushing legislation to open bars and restaurants for dining in yellow and green-designated counties.

Brad Russell, co-owner of Pier 87, a restaurant north of Montoursville, is more than eager to fully open his establishment.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced Pier 87, along with many other restaurants, to serve customers strictly by take-out.

“We are prepared to go seven days a week,” he said. “We want to get back to normal.”

State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, and state Rep. Garth Everett, R-Muncy, are sponsoring the bills.

The first bill would allow establishments with decks, patios, and courtyards to open outdoor areas provided they comply with a six-foot table-distancing rule. It would not include sidewalk areas that may have regular foot traffic.

Establishments without existing outside seating could have temporary seating. For those with parking lots, but no previously used outdoor space, the legislation allows limited seating in a designated part of that area.

The second bill allows

establishments to begin seating a limited number of patrons inside the premises, following the same rules as outdoors — up to a maximum 50 percent occupancy with each table at least six feet apart.

“Establishments operating dine-in or outdoor services must meet and follow all precautionary and social distancing requirements under our proposals, and mirror a majority of the CDC directives,” Yaw said. “The provisions in this legislation would remain in effect until the disaster declaration is terminated and establishments are allowed to return to normal dine-in operations.”

Everett said, if at least one of the bills makes it through the state Legislature, it will be a big step forward and a shot in the arm for restaurants.

The bill allowing for inside dining with the safe distancing restriction is a good start, he said.

“Some restaurant people weren’t crazy about just 50 percent occupancy. But I felt you need to walk before you run. If it’s limited to 50 percent, you can prove it can be done,” he said.

Everett noted that reports have indicated that 60 percent of small businesses in the state will close permanently if the government shutdown continues. The service sector, he added, has been hit especially hard.

Steven Orso, of the Old Corner Hotel, Williamsport, said with the summer weather drawing closer, people are eager to dine outside.

“We were really hoping that we can start to serve outside. That’s what we are really hoping happens,” he said. “We have a full protocol for our staff.”

Like other establishments, his restaurant has felt the economic hurt from COVID-19.

“Everyone is in the same boat,” he said.

State Rep. Jeff Wheeland, R-Loyalsock, said it’s important the bills are passed.

“We have a lot of people in the restaurant and beverage industry,” he said. “At some point, we have to get back to normal.”

The Bridge Tavern, South Williamsport, opened in 2019, only to face the prospect of shutting down less than a year later.

“This would be really good news if these bills passed,” restaurant manager Jim Kane said. “People are still eating. They still have to feed themselves. Take-out is doing okay, but for people to come back and dine would be great.”

Kane said he would be eager to set up an arrangement for outdoor dining too.

At the same, he said he realizes that the coronavirus is a reality.

“You still have to worry about someone bringing in the virus,” he said. “Right now, we wipe down constantly. This is a whole new ballgame for the restaurant industry. The day of sitting two feet away from a stranger and having dinner is over. I don’t think that is going to happen anymore.”

Russell said he is ready to meet the challenge of running Pier 87 under the new guidelines.

“Everything changes day to day,” he said. “We will gear up and get ready for the next thing.”

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