125013750_web1_Vaccination

Don’t postpone pediatrician visits during pandemic, state health secretary says

Graham to probe origins of Russia inquiry; won't call Obama

WILKES-BARRE &mdash; State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding Thursday outlined the order of enforcement actions that would be taken against restaurants offering dine-in services to patrons in violation of Gov. Tom Wolf&rsquo;s March 19 business closure Executive Order to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the commonwealth.
				&ldquo;It&rsquo;s important that Pennsylvania&rsquo;s restaurants don&rsquo;t stray from the course now, we&rsquo;ve come too far, sacrificed too much to change our path,&rdquo; Redding said. &ldquo;Restaurants are encouraged to continue only offering their services for carry-out or delivery. I, along with all of Pennsylvania, am grateful for your dedication to maintaining these life-saving measures.&rdquo;
				Redding said the Department of Agriculture&rsquo;s Bureau of Food Safety will enforce this order for retail food facilities under the department&rsquo;s jurisdiction that are re-opening and offering dine-in services.
				In Gov. Wolf&rsquo;s plan to reopen Pennsylvania, restaurants in counties in both the red and yellow phases are prohibited from offering dine-in service and are limited to take-out and delivery options only.
				Food safety inspectors will follow up on reports of restaurants offering dine-in service in violation of the order. Once confirmed, the following actions will be taken by the department:
				&#8226; Warning letter from the Departments of Agriculture and Health.
				&#8226; Follow up inspection.
				&#8226; If still in violation of the order at follow up inspection, adjudication to suspend the businesses retail food license.
				&#8226; If the business continues to operate after license is revoked, citations will be filed with the magisterial district judge.
				&#8226; The department may pursue civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day of violation.
				Redding said the department will work with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and collaboratively across other agencies &mdash; such as with the Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board &mdash; to report and follow up on violations.
				&ldquo;We know that people dining together in a restaurant puts many people at risk of exposure, including patrons and employees,&rdquo; Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. &ldquo;It is essential that restaurants comply with guidance and continue with carry-out and delivery options at this time. Social distancing is a primary tool to fight this virus, and we must stay the course.&rdquo;

Agriculture secretary urges compliance with restaurant enforcement order