Keystone Today

The Limited Time Mitigation Order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania ended on Jan. 4 but citing businesses for defying the order continues with three Schuylkill County restaurants included.

Gov. Tom Wolf prohibited “all in-person dining at businesses in the retail food services industry, including, but not limited to, bars, restaurants, breweries, wineries, distilleries, social clubs, and private catered events effective Dec. 12."

Leiby’s Ice Cream House & Restaurant in Tamaqua, JT’s Grill & Cue, 242 Orchard St., Auburn, and the West Penn Diner, 749 Penn Drive, Tamaqua, remained open during the prohibition window. 

Leiby’s Ice Cream House owner, Daniel Leiby said the business has not yet received any official notification of the citation but has been given notice about remaining open and received a letter from the state Department of Agriculture. 

Leiby said that his business has adhered to safety precautions, including operating at a reduced capacity, requiring the wearing of masks, distancing with tables 10 feet apart, as well as regular cleaning and sanitizing.

Tanya Fichthorn, one of the owners of JT’s Grill, frustratingly said in an interview that “it has been terrible dealing with rules and mandates that seem to favor different businesses."

More than 30 restaurants were ordered to close after each had been validated that it was open for dine-in service and has refused to comply with the temporary order while an inspector was present.