The state Department of Agriculture shut down 21 restaurants last week for violating COVID mitigation orders.
While restaurants were allowed to reopen Jan. 4 following a three-week shutdown ordered by Gov. Tom Wolf, they still must abide by capacity limits of 25% to 50%, masking of employees, and limits on alcohol sales.
Each of the restaurants ordered to be shut down were found to be operating in violation of the orders, and management refused to make corrections while an inspector was present, officials said.
The Department of Agriculture inspects restaurants only in counties that do not have health departments .They do not perform restaurant inspections in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Erie, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.