Fish fries reminded to use COVID-19 safety measures

With the upcoming Lenten season, the Allegheny County Health Department is reminding fish fry sponsors to follow all COVID-19 safety guidelines, as outlined by the state.

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All fish fries allowing in-person dining must follow the requirements, which include but are not limited to:

• Restricting indoor dining capacity to 50% if a facility has completed the state’s self-certification process or to 25% if it has not;
• Requiring any outdoor seating area to have two open sides;
• Requiring employees wear face coverings at all times and requiring customers wear face coverings except when seated at their own tables;
• Spacing parties at least 6 feet apart and prohibiting bar or counter seating, and
• Only serving alcohol with food and ending alcohol sales by 11 p.m. and alcohol consumption by midnight.

Fish fries are strongly encouraged to offer takeout service and online or phone orders to limit crowds and possible exposure to COVID-19, the department said in a news release.

A valid health permit is also needed to operate, which is a requirement for all food facilities in Allegheny County, even temporary fish fries. Sponsors that do not already have a valid health permit will need to complete a temporary permit application and provide the permit fee to the Health Department no later than Friday, Feb. 12 for timely review and processing, the news release said.

The temporary permit application can be found on the Health Department’s website for seasonal or temporary food facilities.

The fee for a temporary permit is $47 and should be included with the application. Only checks and money orders will be accepted, must be made payable to Treasurer of Allegheny County, and should be mailed to: ACHD Food Safety Program, 2121 Noblestown Road, Suite 210, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.

Anyone with questions or needing more information can contact the department at 412-578-8044 or by emailing foodsafety@alleghenycounty.us.

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