HISTORIC DOWNTOWN BETHLEHEM –   The Downtown Bethlehem Association’s Board of Directors has released the following statement Regarding Governor Tom Wolf’s merchant restrictions starting 12:01a.m., July 16^th

The merchants of the DBA (Downtown Bethlehem Association) have complied with every mandate handed down since the beginning of COVID-19 mitigation in Pennsylvania and are devastated by the recent restrictions hurting our employees, businesses and the economy at large.

We, restaurants specifically, committed to follow the safety standards provided by the PA Department of Health and the CDC (Center for Disease Control), and we did. We committed to ensuring the well-being of our employees and customers with our PPE usage and extra cleaning protocols, and we did.

We have signed the #VowoftheValley, a Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce initiative designed to provide clear recognition for the commitment made by businesses, large and small, to protect the health, safety and well-being of employees and customers. This means all federal, state, and local public health guidelines are vowed to be followed at any location with The Vow of The Valley designation.

Mandates with only hours notice create upheaval in our small businesses. We must be able to serve our customers or we will not be here to serve them in the future.

The Downtown Bethlehem Association Board of Directors urges a reversal in this mandate, at least in Lehigh and Northampton Counties, and for government officials to hold accountable those who are not compliant with mandated guidelines.