Are Philadelphia Restaurants Being Singled Out

Is Philadelphia's hospitality trade being singled out?

More than any other industry, the city's bar & restaurant owners have bent over backward to implement Health Department regulations and social distancing rules. Yet, despite all the industries' attempts to lead the way and help minimize the virus spread, they seem to still be singled out and punished, with little explanation from local officials.

With all of the efforts to upgrade the business ventilation system, create outdoor dining areas, no-contact ordering, and vigorous staff training, it seems that every step forward is being meet with10 steps back, even after spending thousands of dollars to meet new regulations imposed.

Many Philadelphia restaurant owners have gone above and beyond what is expected to keep customers and staff safe from the virus. In fact, very few cases of contracting the virus have been attributed to restaurants, and when cases have occurred owners acted appropriately and closed up to avoid any further spread.

For many restaurants on the brink of closing, even something as simple as closing early or limiting seating can affect a restaurant's bottom line by 40-75% and Yet, local officials have shown no proof that outdoor dining, restricted hours, or increased seating is causing the spread.

While other businesses such as large retail stores, convenient stores, and supermarkets are allowed to stay open with fewer restrictions than what is being imposed on the restaurant industry. Leaving many to ask how much more they can take.

Lawsuit Filed Against Philadelphia's New Restrictions

In response to new restrictions, attorney Brian Fritz has filed a lawsuit on behalf of The Philadelphia Restaurant Owners Group Against Lockdowns. Asking for an emergency injunction to stop the shutdown of indoor dining.

The business owners are merely asking to operate under the current safety measures that were put in place last July.

The lawsuit claims that the city's new "Safer at Home" restrictions are unconstitutional. Stating that no studies or reports have shown the infection spread is linked to city restaurants. Or that dining inside restaurants is more dangerous than going to a Wawa, HomeDepot, or the city's own run Christmas Village.

The new "Safer At Home" restrictions go into effect today and will continue until the end of this year. The effects on business owners and thousands of staff members in the hospitality industry are clearly the victims.

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