The governors of multiple states ordered all restaurants and bars to close due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak.
Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Sunday he would be issuing an order for the closures, set to begin at 9 p.m., as more than 35 cases of the coronavirus have been reported in the state, where schools, sporting events, and other large gatherings have been shuttered for the foreseeable future.
“Based upon all of this and based upon the fact of where we are at this point, in this pandemic — we are literally at a crucial, crucial, crucial stage — Dr. Acton will be signing an order that all bars in the state and all restaurants will close at 9 o’clock tonight,” DeWine said. “Carry-out food is still allowed and certainly encouraged.”
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Soon after, Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he was ordering the state’s bars and restaurants to close starting on Monday through March 30.
“I tried earlier this week to appeal to everyone’s good judgment to stay home, to avoid bars, not to congregate in crowds. It’s unfortunate that many people didn’t take that seriously. The time for persuasion and public appeals is over. The time for action is here. This is not a joke. No one is immune to this, and you have an obligation to act in the best interests of all the people in this state,” he said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom followed suit, ordering closed all bars, nightclubs, pubs, and wineries in his state, and said restaurants should reduce their occupancies by half. He also told people over the age of 65, who are at high risk, to isolate themselves at home.
At least 2,800 people in the United States have tested positive for the virus as of Sunday morning, and 59 people have died, according to the New York Times.
President Trump declared a national emergency on Friday.
