As COVID-19 cases have declined and vaccination rates are climbing, area restaurants are finally able to open to more capacity and people will able to drink alcohol without ordering food.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday he is lifting some restrictions, as well as increased gathering limits.

Effective April 4, restaurants may resume bar service; alcohol service will be allowed without the purchase of food; the curfew for removing alcoholic drinks from tables will be lifted; and indoor dining capacity will be raised to 75 percent for those restaurants that are currently self-certified and those that undergo the self-certification process, which involves agreeing to strictly comply to all public health safety guidelines and orders, including the cleaning and mitigation protocols and other operational requirements contained in the governor and Secretary of Health’s mitigation and enforcement orders issued on Nov. 23, 2020, as amended.

“We’re looking forward to seeing everyone again,” said Cary Bates, owner of Sisters Cantina in Tamaqua. “I am kind of surprised honestly. He (Gov. Wolf) just reviewed the guidelines not long ago. … I was hoping by Memorial Day. We’ve been taking it day by day; just tell us how we can do it and we’ve been adjusting on the fly. We’ve been fortunate - people have been very forthcoming to come get takeout and support our staff who are trying to make a living.”

Those restaurants that do not self-certify may raise capacity to 50 percent. Outdoor dining, curbside pickup and takeout are still encouraged.

“Needless to say, it has been a very long year for mom-and-pop taverns and licensed restaurants, which have been the tip of the spear in this fight against COVID-19,” said Chuck Moran, executive director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association.

“And while we celebrate the news today, we do so with caution realizing the virus is still here. As the light at the end of the tunnel appears a little brighter today, it is our hope that with continued success from our country’s medical scientists and the rollout of the vaccine, that we’ll be out of this dark place soon.”

Requirements such as mask-wearing, and social distancing, including 6 feet between diners, also still apply.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” said Savas Logothetides, owner of Wheel Restaurant in Tamaqua.

“Obviously to be able to serve alcohol without food isn’t a big make or break (for us), but to be able to reopen bar service and go to 75% is big. We’ve seen an increase in guest counts over the last couple of weeks, as we’ve seen other states lift their restrictions and COVID-19 numbers locally decrease. You can sense that people are getting ready to get back to normal.”

Capacity for other businesses also will be increased effective April 4, including moving personal services facilities, gyms and entertainment facilities (casinos, theaters, malls) to 75% occupancy.

Krysta Fink, Penn’s Peak marketing manager, said her team is still gathering information and waiting for some more details. She hopes that Roadies Restaurant, attached to the popular event venue, can increase its seating by 30 people, while still skipping sections to remain social distant.

“We are looking at a number of possible options to accommodate the increase in capacity,” said Fink. “This change in capacity will allow us now to have just over 460 people (inside the event venue). Of course, there is only so much space in the venue to continue to add more tables.”

The governor also announced revised maximum occupancy limits for indoor events to allow for 25% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size, and maximum occupancy limits for outdoor events to allow for 50% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size. Maximum occupancy is permitted only if attendees and workers are able to comply with the 6-foot physical distancing requirement.

“Pennsylvanians have stepped up and done their part of help curb the spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Wolf said. “Our case counts continue to go down, hospitalizations are declining, and the percent positivity rate gets lower every week - all very positive signs. The number of people getting vaccinated increases daily and we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel. It’s time to allow our restaurants, bars and other service businesses to get back to more normal operations.”

While the lifting of these restrictions is good news, Gov. Wolf cautioned that mask-wearing, social distancing and business adherence to all safety orders are still imperative.

“We’ve come so far and now is not the time to stop the safety measures we have in place to protect ourselves, our families and our communities,” Gov. Wolf said. “Keep wearing a mask, social distancing, and, please, get vaccinated when it’s your turn.”