Pennsylvania State Police on Friday announced citations against Lehigh Valley bars and restaurants for allegedly violating the three-week ban on indoor dining over the holidays.
Gov. Tom Wolf and Dr. Rachel Levine, then the state’s health secretary, instituted the temporary ban that also affected businesses like gyms and casinos as well as high school sports, from Dec. 12 to Jan. 4.
“This virus continues to rage in Pennsylvania,” Wolf said at the time. “And over the past several weeks it’s become clear that we need to take further mitigation actions to protect Pennsylvanians and stop the spread of COVID-19. We all hoped it wouldn’t come to this.”
Pennsylvania’s count of new coronavirus cases is now beginning to slow following a surge that coincided with the holiday period, with the latest numbers showing 839,239 cumulative cases of COVID-19 statewide with 21,606 deaths.
The state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement in Allentown announced the following citations were issued this month, related to state COVID-19 mitigation measures. The charges will be brought before an administrative law judge who can impose penalties of $50 to $1,000, and up to $5,000 for more serious offenses. Liquor-license holders could also face suspension or revocation, or mandated training.
Lehigh County
Frederick’s Sports Page Inc./Corner Pocket, 1102 Lehigh St. in Allentown, was cited for allegedly failing to provide face masks for employees or require that they be worn by employees at all times while at the establishment; selling or serving alcohol in a transaction that did not include a meal; allowing bar seating; and serving, selling or allowing the consumption of food or alcohol inside the premises on Dec. 23.
The bar’s owner, Rob Clark, told lehighvalleylive.com he thinks the holiday shutdown was unconstitutional.
“I am doing what my constitutional rights tell me I can do, which is run my business,” he said Friday. “I didn’t spend all this money to open a bar and not be able to run a business based on somebody’s fear.
“Any citation that will be coming along will be given to my attorney and will be fought in court,” Clark said.
A lawsuit brought by business owners and a state House candidate alleging Wolf’s springtime shutdown order was unconstitutional was rejected in the Pennsylvania Superior Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case.
DiGiacomo’s Inc.’s Greg’s West End Saloon, 1837-39 Tilghman St. in Allentown, was cited for allegedly failing to require all customers to wear face masks while entering, exiting or walking around inside the establishment; failing to provide masks for employees or require that they be worn by employees at all times while at the establishment; selling or serving alcohol in a transaction that did not include a meal; permitting consumption of alcohol or food while not seated; allowing patrons in excess of 25% of capacity without self-certifying for a higher capacity under its fire code limitations; and selling or providing alcohol for on-premises consumption after 11 p.m. on Dec. 4 and after midnight on Dec. 5.
A woman tending bar there Friday declined to comment.
Anderdre Corp.’s Leather Corner Post Hotel, 6855 Horseshoe Road in Orefield, Lowhill Township, was cited for allegedly failing to require all customers to wear face masks while entering, exiting or walking around inside the establishment; failing to provide masks for employees or require that they be worn by employees at all times while at the establishment; and serving, selling or allowing the consumption of food or alcohol inside the premises on Dec. 26.
Lauren Anderson, who manages the bar owned by her father, told lehighvalleylive.com they are trying to keep their family business running, and that 2020 was a “struggle for us all year taking a big, big hit.”
Brooke Derek Inc.’s Riley’s Restaurant & Pub, 4505 Main St. in Whitehall Township, was cited for allegedly serving, selling or allowing the consumption of food or alcohol inside the premises on Dec. 23.
Owner Bert Charlie on Saturday said he could fight the citation “but it’s also easier to pay the $50 fine.”
Charlie further said that the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office on Friday dismissed separate citations against Riley’s and other businesses for allegedly violating the holidays ban on indoor dining. The AG’s office was not immediately available for comment Saturday, and court records show that the case was dismissed Jan. 21 against only one establishment.
“It seems like the state is ready to get back to work as usual,” Charlie said of the further dismissals Friday for his and the other businesses previously cited.
Legends Valley at Best Station Hotel, 4425 Best Station Road in Washington Township, was cited for allegedly serving, selling or allowing the consumption of food or alcohol inside the premises on Dec. 29.
A message left seeking comment was not immediately returned.
Commix Hotel, 3245 W. Emmaus Ave. in Salisbury Township, was cited for allegedly serving, selling or allowing the consumption of food or alcohol inside the premises on Dec. 31.
Efforts to reach Commix for comment were unsuccessful Friday and Saturday.
Northampton County
Seven Sirens Brewing Co. LLC, 327 Broadway in Bethlehem was cited for allegedly failing to require all customers to wear face masks while entering, exiting or walking around inside the establishment; and serving, selling or allowing the consumption of food or alcohol inside the premises on Dec. 23; and serving, selling or allowing the consumption of food or alcohol inside the premises on Dec. 26.
Co-owner Joshua Divers said Friday they had gotten warnings but he was unaware of any citations filed. Divers ahead of the holiday shutdown told lehighvalleylive.com that Seven Sirens could not afford to close down over the holidays, but that it would follow the state’s other COVID-19 mitigation requirements.
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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
The Link LonkJanuary 31, 2021 at 03:45AM
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Lehigh Valley bars accused of violating state’s holiday COVID shutdown - lehighvalleylive.com
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