Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 599 licensed liquor establishments from Monday, April 5 through Thursday, April 15 to ensure businesses continue to abide by COVID-19 mitigation requirements.
Restaurants were permitted to resume bar service and the sale of alcohol without the purchase of food on April 4. Additionally, establishments are now permitted to operate at 75 percent capacity (provided they self-certify and agree to comply with health and safety guidelines), and the previous curfew for removing alcohol drinks from tables was lifted.
Targeted restrictions such as mask-wearing and social distancing between patrons remain in effect and continue to be enforced.
Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement | April 5-15, 2021
ENFORCEMENT OFFICE | TOTAL LICENSEE CHECKS | WARNINGS RELATED TO COVID-19 MITIGATION EFFORTS | NOTICES OF VIOLATION RELATED TO COVID-19 MITIGATION EFFORTS |
1-Philadelphia | 55 | 1 | 1 |
2-Wilkes-Barre | 63 | 8 | 7 |
3-Harrisburg | 42 | 7 | 3 |
4-Pittsburgh | 191 | 32 | 6 |
5-Altoona | 55 | 8 | 1 |
6-Williamsport | 39 | 1 | 0 |
7-Punxsutawney | 22 | 11 | 1 |
8-Erie | 54 | 7 | 1 |
9-Allentown | 78 | 10 | 6 |
TOTALS | 599 | 85 | 26 |
As mandated by the liquor code, a notice of violation precedes the issuance of an administrative citation, which is civil in nature, and is intended to provide licensed liquor establishments notification of the nature of violation(s) discovered. The investigation remains open during this period, pending review by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE). Because the investigation is ongoing, names of establishments issued a notice of violation will not be released at this time. Each BLCE district office posts a monthly public information release that includes details on citations issued by that office.
Complaints regarding licensees not complying with COVID-19 mitigation mandates may be directed to the BLCE at 1-800-932-0602 or reported through the BLCE’s online complaint form.