‘It’s a huge blow.’ Reaction to closures, changes from new statewide orders to combat COVID-19

PITTSBURGH — The new restrictions issued by Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration include a ban on all in-person indoor dining, indoor gathering limits are set at 10 people, all in-person businesses serving the public can only have 50% capacity and all indoor gyms are closed.

>>>RELATED: Washington Co. leaders, business owners react to state’s new coronavirus restrictions

Movie Theaters

The owner of Penn Hills Cinemas is doing all he can to hang on, but he’s had to tap into his savings.

“The only thing we are doing is private rentals to less than 10 people,” Paul Looker said. “It’s just me. There’s no room for anybody else.”

Looker had to let go of all of his staff after money from the Paycheck Protection Program ran out.

Restaurants

“Just everything in my life is going to be affected tremendously, including my kids’ Christmas at this point,” said Brandi Mikos.

Mikos works as a waitress and this latest round of orders will put her into a deeper financial hole.

“I mean what do you do? Do you pay your electric? What do you do? I’m kind of lost for words at this point,” she said.

Mikos said one silver lining is a social media group she put together: Adopt a Server Pennsylvania. Click here for more details.

“This is our biggest time of the year. Everyone comes to town. They bring their family, they want to show off Pittsburgh and our restaurant to their guests and their families,” said Altius assistant general manager Rob Zgonc.

Zgonc said the restaurant was booked solid this Saturday. Now, they have to call every single reservation to tell them Friday night is their last chance to dine in until January.

Gyms

As part of Wolf’s new set of orders, indoor gyms and fitness centers are closed. The YMCA on Centre Avenue said it is open, but that won’t be the case on Saturday morning.

“It’s a little disappointing. If you’re trying to stay in shape, this is one of the only resources in this area. You have to be safe and they’re saying this is the way you spread it,” said Loran Nance.

Sports

K-12 sports, all youth sports and extracurricular activities are on hold.

“Personally, I don’t think it’s fair, but I do understand why,” Jacob Mears said.

Mears is a youth swim coach. He said he feels for the kids who don’t have another positive outlet.

“Make the most of it, try to stay in shape and we’ll be back before we know it,” he said.

PIAA officials said they plan to issue a press release Friday morning with more details about how this will affect school sports.

Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association

The Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association sent Channel 11 a statement in response to Gov. Wolf’s restrictions, calling the situation “devastating to the hospitality industry”:

“This afternoon, Governor Wolf announced a statewide shutdown on all indoor dining and private events, effective at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. This order is devastating to the hospitality industry. Hundreds of businesses are teetering on the brink of financial disaster, and the livelihood of thousands of employees are on the line. The Governor offers us nothing but lip service by acknowledging the hospitality industry’s precarious financial situation when our expertise is repeatedly ignored when drafting mitigation orders.

“This order will have a considerable impact - hopefully, one of them will be to lower case counts, though there is no data to support that. As more residents stay home due to unemployment, they face the threat of rising cases and the added stress of putting food on the table for their families and keeping a roof over their heads. As the second-largest economy statewide, the hospitality industry provides thousands of jobs and serves as a pillar of communities throughout the state. The Governor cannot ignore these orders’ impact, and Congress needs to act now to pass real relief.

“When shutdowns came in March, the federal government created several safety nets for businesses and employees through the Paycheck Protection Program and additional unemployment compensation. Those programs no longer exist this time around, and there is no guarantee Congress will act to extend them soon. Many of our industry’s employees used up their unemployment compensation eligibility from the first shutdown. Restaurants find it increasingly challenging to conduct outdoor dining as temperatures dip and realistically cannot survive on takeout, delivery, and carry out alone.

“The short notice of the shutdown and timing could not be worse as employers will be forced to lay off thousands of more workers as we head into the holiday season.”

There are widespread changes and closures due to the new statewide orders issued by Gov. Tom Wolf to combat COVID-19.

Peoples Gas Holiday Market

Due to the new state mandate, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is closing the Peoples Gas Holiday Market, Merry Market Pop-Up and the Santa Zoom Experience on Friday, Dec. 11 at 9:30 p.m. Patrons are encouraged to visit Holiday Market vendors online.

>>STORY: Dozens of vendors, food bank to take hit from early closure of Pittsburgh’s Holiday Market

Casinos

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced it is working with the 12 casinos across the state to shut down due to Gov. Wolf’s new orders.

The Meadows Casino told Channel 11 it will be shutting down starting 11 p.m. on Friday for a period of three weeks.

New statewide COVID-19 restrictions announced, in effect for next 3 weeks

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