Wolf: Indoor, outdoor event spaces in Pa. can increase capacity next week
May 11—Pennsylvania officials will increase capacity limits for indoor and outdoor event spaces Monday, though neither type can operate at full capacity just yet.
Gov. Tom Wolf said in a release Tuesday that occupancy limits for indoor events can increase to 50% and capacity for outdoor events can increase to 75% of maximum occupancy limits.
The new limits will go into effect May 17, two weeks before all mitigation measures save for the mask mandate are set to lift.
"As more Pennsylvania adults get vaccinated and guidance from the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) evolves, we can continue to move forward with the commonwealth's reopening efforts," Wolf said.
Current capacity limits are 25% for indoor events and 50% for outdoor events and gatherings, and that is only if employees and patrons can comply with six-foot social distancing guidelines.
"We recognize the significant strain businesses have faced during covid-19 mitigation efforts," Wolf said. "Throughout the last year and half, we have seen businesses continue to put the safety of their patrons first and I believe they will continue to do so even with this capacity increase."
Wolf announced last week the state will lift a majority of the mitigation mandates — most of which have been in place to some degree for more than a year — at midnight on Memorial Day.
He said the safety of residents remains "at the forefront of our decision making," and he noted that easing of the state restrictions does not mean municipalities, school districts, and venues themselves can't implement their own more stringent measures.
The state defines an event or gathering as "a temporary grouping of individuals for defined purposes," which includes fairs, festivals, concerts, movies showings, business meetings and conferences, among others.
The latest loosened restrictions likely won't help the Palace Theatre in Greensburg, as notice is too short to organize any shows, said April Kopas, chief executive of the Westmoreland Cultural Trust.
Instead, she said, the theater is focusing on shows after restrictions fully lift on Memorial Day.
"We really were looking to do the ramp up and working with shows further on past that date," she said. "We'll continue to set our sights on shows in summer and fall and into the winter."
The news might, however, benefit the Greensburg Garden & Civic Center, which is also run by the Westmoreland Cultural Trust. The venue offers space for gatherings and events like parties — events that could be scheduled and held in the two weeks leading up to a full lifting of restrictions, Kopas said.
"It may help incentivize folks who were on the fence for graduation parties, weddings, those things," she said. "I think this easing of restrictions may help the family gatherings, the showers, the graduation parties. That activity may pick up."
In Allegheny County, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is in a similar holding pattern.
"Today's announcement doesn't change much because Memorial Day is only a couple weeks away," said spokesperson Robin Elrod.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust hasn't made any changes to their scheduling based on the new announcement, she said. Instead, they're focusing on the upcoming Arts Festival in June, which will mark their next major event.
As for sports venues, Pirates spokesman Brian Warecki called the announcement welcomed news for the community. He said the team continues to solicit feedback from fans "as we work toward a safe and significant" capacity increase at PNC Park next month.
"We look forward to announcing the details of our capacity increase and updates to protocols in place at the ballpark in the coming days," Warecki said.
Across the river, Penguins management said PPG Paints Arena will allow up to 50% capacity beginning Monday, though they noted the NHL has yet to announce dates for the team's first-round series against the New York Islanders.
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