Allegheny County Issues Alcohol Restrictions

ALLEGHENY CO., Pa. — (WPXI) – In response to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County, health officials are ordering all bars and restaurants in the county to stop the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption. County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and health department director Dr. Debra Bogen said the “alarming spike” in cases — there have been more positive cases in the past two days than there were in the past two weeks — led to this decision. Fitzgerald initially said during a press conference Sunday that all bars in the county were going to close. Minutes later, Bogen clarified, saying she is ordering all businesses to stop selling alcohol for on-site consumption beginning on June 30. Restaurants and bars can stay open but with outdoor seating encouraged. People will be allowed to get to-go alcoholic beverages from restaurants. This comes after a new daily record was set for COVID-19 positive cases in Allegheny County on Sunday, the second day in a row. The health department reports 96 positive cases of coronavirus Sunday. That is on top of 90 new cases reported Saturday. The order will go into effect at 5 p.m. on June 30.