The increase in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant is already impacting some businesses in Western Pennsylvania. Forest Hills hairdresser Anthony Fazio said the spread of the variant has cost him business.”A couple people canceled just last week. They both have their shots but they’re scared that this new variant is out and they don’t want to get it,” Fazio said.He also lost his only two employees due to fears of COVID-19.”It’s scary and it’s happening to a lot of businesses. They’re scared, too,” he said.Throughout the region, businesses are taking different approaches to the resurgent virus, according to Mark Thomas, president of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance.”We see everything from people reinstituting mask mandates to people delaying their openings, while others are moving forward while requiring employees to show some proof of vaccination or wear masks to protect themselves,” Thomas said.At Jodi B’s restaurant in Forest Hills, all the employees are vaccinated and masks are not required.But owner Tammi Gerboc said she worries the variant could mean a return to mask mandates, hurting her business.”If it means back to masks we will be back to masks. Hopefully, it doesn’t get to that,” she said.Gov. Tom Wolf and Allegheny County officials have given no indication that they plan to mandate masks or vaccinations at businesses.
FOREST HILLS, Pa. —
The increase in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant is already impacting some businesses in Western Pennsylvania.
Forest Hills hairdresser Anthony Fazio said the spread of the variant has cost him business.
“A couple people canceled just last week. They both have their shots but they’re scared that this new variant is out and they don’t want to get it,” Fazio said.
He also lost his only two employees due to fears of COVID-19.
“It’s scary and it’s happening to a lot of businesses. They’re scared, too,” he said.
Throughout the region, businesses are taking different approaches to the resurgent virus, according to Mark Thomas, president of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance.
“We see everything from people reinstituting mask mandates to people delaying their openings, while others are moving forward while requiring employees to show some proof of vaccination or wear masks to protect themselves,” Thomas said.
At Jodi B’s restaurant in Forest Hills, all the employees are vaccinated and masks are not required.
But owner Tammi Gerboc said she worries the variant could mean a return to mask mandates, hurting her business.
“If it means back to masks we will be back to masks. Hopefully, it doesn’t get to that,” she said.
Gov. Tom Wolf and Allegheny County officials have given no indication that they plan to mandate masks or vaccinations at businesses.
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