More details from Pa. Secretary of Health about raising indoor dining numbers

PITTSBURGH — Restaurants on Pittsburgh’s North Side are used to a packed house during lunch, but that hasn’t been possible during the coronavirus pandemic. Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine gave a better look at what increasing restaurant capacity will soon look like.

>>>RELATED: Pennsylvania restaurants can increase indoor capacity to 50% later this month

“In order to save the restaurant industry and those jobs, we’re making recommendations and we’re doing it at a time when our numbers are low. We’re going to have to see how time goes, but now is the time to do it,” Levine said.

In two weeks, restaurant capacity will increase from 25% to 50%.

“Twenty-five percent, we’ve been doing OK and hanging in there. But 50%, we can’t wait,” said Gregory Hilscher, with Giorgio’s Place.

The change will require restaurants to honestly report that they’re in compliance with the state regulations. Last call for all alcohol sales is at 10 p.m.

“We’re really hopeful. We really need it,” Hilscher said.

The changes go into effect Sept. 21.

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Cox Media Group