HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania is imposing broad new statewide restrictions on bars and restaurants and larger indoor gatherings, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday, citing an “alarming escalation” in new coronavirus infections and heavily criticizing people who he said had ignored public health orders.

Nightclubs will be shut down, bars will be closed unless they also offer dine-in meals, and bars and restaurants will be limited to 25% capacity under Wolf’s order, which takes effect Thursday and also requires companies to have their employees telework to the extent possible.

The new restrictions, coming more than two months after Pennsylvania began reopening its virus-battered economy, risked major backlash in large swaths of the state where COVID-19 has largely been kept at bay.

Republican backlash

Republican lawmakers have staunchly opposed most of Wolf’s restrictions since mid-April and accused him of behaving like a dictator, abusing his power and failing to consult lawmakers on his plans.

“The irreversible impact of his countless, confusing orders cannot be overstated,” House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre, said in a written statement. “Gov. Wolf’s decision today will close the doors of some small businesses forever and devastate the livelihoods of so many Pennsylvanians who were just beginning to feel hopeful for the future.”

“The governor just doesn’t get it,” said state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill. “He doesn’t understand that our economy continues to decline.

“During the past two weeks, my wife and I have visited several restaurants throughout our area. We were impressed by the way management and employees are handling the situation. These people have performed their jobs to levels above and beyond the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Wolf’s statewide restrictions contradict the statement he made earlier that local leaders would be allowed to make COVID-19-related decisions.

“It appears that my constituents and those from the rural areas are paying for the sins of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.”

“The governor doesn’t understand rural Pennsylvania,” said Sen. David Argall, R-Berks/Schuylkill. “We heard it firsthand during my four Policy Committee hearings in the last few weeks: Rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia do not mean the governor should hurt restaurant and bar employees in Sinking Spring, Womelsdorf and Shenandoah.

“This further ruling by the governor - who continues to act like King Tom the first, without the approval of the House, the Senate, our local governments, or the public could be the final stake in the heart for many small-business employers and thousands of employees in the small towns which I represent.”

Business measures

The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and the National Federation of Independent Business questioned why the order couldn’t be tailored to areas seeing an outbreak, or why stronger enforcement couldn’t be wielded against rule-breakers.

But Wolf warned that a “new surge is in the offing” that could eclipse what happened in the spring, when the virus killed thousands and sickened tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians.

The Democratic governor said people who refused to wear a mask or abide by social distancing requirements while patronizing bars and restaurants are responsible in part for the virus’s resurgence in the state.

“This carelessness has resulted in pockets of super-spreading,” Wolf said.

He also cited out-of-state travel to virus hot spots, and blamed states in the South and West for “not committing to the things they should’ve done to keep this virus from spreading.”

“We did everything we should’ve done, we were responsible, and yet we’re paying the price right now,” he said.

Under Wolf’s order, indoor events and gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited, though administration officials said places of worship are exempt.

Gyms are allowed to remain open but are supposed to “prioritize outdoor physical fitness activities.” The new restrictions on bars and restaurants say alcohol may only be served on site with a meal.

A group representing liquor licensees asked for financial relief, including the elimination of state fees and deeper discounts on liquor sold to bars and restaurants by the state.

“People have paid their license fees and are unable to use them. People have brought staff back and will probably have to lay them off again. It’s not a good situation if you’re a licensed tavern or restaurant,” said Chuck Moran of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association.

The state Health Department reported 994 new positive virus cases Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to more than 97,000, and 26 new deaths, raising the toll to 6,957.

Schools reopening

Dr. David Rubin, director of PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who took part in the governor’s news conference, said that school reopenings will be in jeopardy unless the state acts decisively while case numbers are still manageable.

“We’re already at a tipping point where we really have to act. We don’t want to become Florida. We don’t want to become Texas. We don’t want to become Arizona. We have got to act now,” said Wolf, naming three GOP-run states where the virus has been surging.