The Governor of Ohio announced Sunday afternoon that all bars and restaurants are closed for congregating until further notice amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The order goes into effect at 9 p.m. Sunday, March 15 and will remain in effect until further notice.
Establishments will still be allowed to serve takeout food, however, and to-go orders, but no one will be allowed to stay inside.
“What we can’t have is people congregating and seated,” the Governor said. “I’m aware that this will impact many, many good workers. I can’t tell you how sorry I am, but we will work to mitigate the suffering. It is our goal for everyone to get through this.”
Governor Mike DeWine is the first Governor in the country to enact such a measure. Countries, such as Italy, have taken similar steps.
Ohio had 36 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of 2 p.m. when the Governor made the closure announcement. Another 300 people are presumably positive, according to the state’s health director, Dr. Amy Acton.
“Every day we delay, more people will die. If we do not act and get some distance between people, our healthcare system in Ohio will not hold up,” the Governor added.
