Statement December 10, 2021
John Longstreet, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association
PRLA has led and continues to support efforts to get more Philadelphians vaccinated against COVID-19 to keep guests, hospitality employees, and business owners safe. While there has not yet been an established indoor vaccine mandate, many local restaurants have implemented standards requiring employees and guests to be vaccinated.
We feel confident the industry will continue to do everything we can to keep our guests and employees safe, so restaurants can remain the safest place for Philadelphians to gather with their family, friends, and coworkers.
The PRLA welcomes working closely with the City of Philadelphia to ensure a safe dining experience for all and help protect the industry from further financial devastation. There are several factors to consider prior to implementing these changes, such as the impact on hotels and caterers. We hope the city will provide the industry with the utmost clarity and the resources necessary to adhere to any new vaccine mandates.
The industry is slowly recovering from 20 months of financial setbacks and, any reduction in capacity or hours could be the last straw for many operators. As the industry looks to navigate new challenges like labor shortages, supply chain issues, and rising costs on materials; the PRLA hopes that the City of Philadelphia will work closely with us to ensure a safe dining experience for all and help prevent further financial devastation. We are hopeful a mutual agreement can be made between operators and the City of Philadelphia to increase COVID-19 safety.
Media Contacts
PRLA: Stephanie Otterson, 717-963-8369, [email protected]
Food Shelter PR: Abby Snopek, (215) 254-6601 or [email protected]