Open Once Again
County residents can once again enjoy a meal at their favorite restaurant or hit the gym for a workout.
The time-limited mitigation orders put in place Dec. 12 by Gov. Tom Wolf and Dr. Rachel Levine, state Department of Health secretary, expired Monday.
“Our mitigation efforts over the past several weeks are working and I thank everyone who abided by the restrictions put in place to protect us,” Wolf said Monday. “Every time we make a small decision to avoid risk — or take steps to make our actions a little bit less risky — we are helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.”
Restaurants can open at 25% capacity, unless they have completed the state's self-certification process, which permits them to fill their eateries at 50% capacity.
Alcohol consumption continues to be permitted only at tables and with a meal, and all alcohol must be removed from patrons at midnight.
Gyms and spas can open at 50% occupancy with reservations strongly suggested.At the Butler and Rose E. Schneider YMCAs, members can once again work out or participate in an exercise class, albeit at a distance of 6 feet from others.Sandy Ihlenfeld, executive director of the Butler YMCA on North Washington Street, said members were thrilled to use the facilities once again Monday.“I am so thankful because the Y is a community support system,” she said.January is traditionally a month when members focus on health goals, and many seniors attend vital exercise classes at the Y as well, Ihlenfeld said.She said maintaining social distancing in the gym is not a problem at either YMCA because the facilities are so large.Those working out must wear a mask, Ihlenfeld said.The pools at the YMCAs also are open, but members are required to reserve a lane for a specific time. Swimmers are not required to wear a mask.“There has not been a problem because they are rotating all day long,” Ihlenfeld said.Regarding fitness or senior classes, Ihlenfeld said group workout rooms have been measured and dots added to the floor where members must stand to maintain social distancing.
“They have to reserve a spot at the front desk as well,” she said. “That gives them some comfort in exercising at the Y.”Eric Hunter, a young Butler resident who joined the YMCA about a year ago, said his penchant for fitness is related to some health conditions with which he lives.While the YMCA was closed, he mainly did push-ups at home.“I'm pretty excited,” Hunter said of once again being allowed to work out there. “It's a stress reliever and it keeps my mind focused.”He especially appreciates the steam room at the YMCA, which he believes allows stress to leave his body.“Everything is great now,” Hunter said.Doug Bureman, 73, of Butler Township did a fair amount of walking and exercised at home during the restrictions to keep up his strength and flexibility.“But it doesn't compare to coming here,” he said.Bureman does an hour of cardio and about 30 minutes of weight-bearing exercise each day.He is comfortable exercising at the YMCA during the coronavirus pandemic.“I think they do a great job with social distancing and sanitizing and temperature checks,” Bureman said.He said at the facility, he gets no calls, texts or other distractions while he works out.“For me, it's also a time for thinking and reflection,” Bureman said. “I was glad to see them open.”
Kim Morris, manager at Mac's Cafe in Butler, said the breakfast and lunch restaurant opened early Monday morning at 25% capacity.That equals a limit of about 13 tables at which diners can be seated.“It's starting out slow, but we do have our regulars here,” Morris said. “We're hoping within the next couple days word will get out and people will start coming.”She said those regulars also ordered takeout during the first restrictions and the most recent ones.“We want to thank all of our loyal customers and everyone who has stuck by us through this,” Morris said. “We look forward to seeing all the old faces and some new ones.”April Coddington, a waitress at Mac's Cafe, said it took a long time to get unemployment once the restaurant closed. She had not yet received her stimulus check as of Monday.“It's still really rough,” she said. “I'm just sitting back trying to make ends meet.”Coddington worked at another restaurant that could not survive the pandemic restrictions and closed down.She said most customers have been generous with tips during the pandemic, as they realize wait staff have it rough.“Everyone is willing to help, especially in this very bad time of need,” Coddington said.Scott Gumto enjoyed breakfast at Mac's Cafe Monday morning, and he felt safe there from the virus.“It's good if you go to the ones that are not really busy,” Gumto said. “I wouldn't go to a crowded venue right now.”He said he and his family mostly ate at home during the restrictions, but he hopes people will patronize the restaurants in the county.“They need to be supported,” Gumto said. “Everyone needs to make a living and pay their bills.”Tyler Amarando downed a breakfast bowl at Mac's Cafe on Monday.“I begged my brother to take me here,” he said.
Amarando is also glad restaurants are open once again.“I think it's a good thing because people need to leave their houses,” he said.Judy Ferree, owner of Hotel Saxonburg, said her restaurant will continue to offer takeout and family meals until February.“January is traditionally a slow month,” she said. “I think we are better off doing takeout.”She said her employees are probably doing better on their unemployment and stimulus money than they would do working at the restaurant.“Since we shut down in December, we didn't really have that nest egg to hold us for January,” Ferree said.Those still working at the restaurant have landed on a system for providing takeout food and family meals, she said.“I think we are efficient now,” Ferree said. “We changed the menu to make it more friendly for takeout. We're quick, and our prices are good.”She is also weary of dealing with those who disagree with the state mask mandate.“It has become so political,” Ferree said.More information on mitigation efforts that remain in place, social restrictions and other pandemic information is available at pa.gov.
