PITTSBURGH — Things turned emotional as restaurant owners pleaded with state lawmakers to help save their businesses from going under during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s so devastating and our governor just doesn’t realize it,” one owner said.
During a conference call Tuesday, state senators said there is a plan to open outdoor dining for Pennsylvania counties in the yellow phase.
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The hotel industry is also in dire straits because of the pandemic with about 80-90% of rooms sitting vacant across the state.
“The projection now is that this tragedy is nine times worse on the business, nine times worse than the tragedy of Sept. 11,” James Longstreet from the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association said.
One salon owners said as long as legitimate businesses are closed, underground ones will pop up. Casinos said they are ready to open their doors. The Meadows is preparing to allow people back in with new guidelines including temperature checks, spacing out slot machines and disinfecting chips.
Senators and business owners said they were going to be working together to get things back to business.
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