How is your states restaurants being effected by the Coronavirus.

 

California

On Sunday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced all bars, nightclubs, wineries and brewpubs will close temporarily across the state, the Los Angeles Times reported. He also urged anyone 65 and older, or those suffering from chronic health conditions, to isolate themselves for protection. Restaurants in the state may remain open, but they must reduce their occupancies by about half and space tables at least 6 feet apart.

In more densely populated cities like Los Angeles, however, more drastic measures have gone into effect. In addition to closing gyms and entertainment venues, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced on Sunday that all restaurants and nightclubs will be closed to the public. However, he is permitting these establishments to offer takeout and delivery services. To help small business owners, the city is working on a fund to offer loans to those affected.

Colorado

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ordered restaurants, bars and coffeehouses across the state to close dine-in services (takeout and delivery are still permitted) and completely shuttered gyms, casinos, theaters, distilleries, brew pubs and cigar bars. The order became effective Tuesday, March 17, and will remain in place for at least 30 days.

More densely populated cities like Denver ordered restaurants not to seat patrons in its restaurants until May 11.

Connecticut

Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut, alongside the governors of New York and New Jersey, announced all restaurants would be closed to dine-in services, with takeout and delivery options only, and an 8 p.m. curfew. According to the press release, the tri-state governors hope “these uniform standards” will be an effective regional approach to combating the virus.

Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended all bars and nightclubs from opening for 30 days and ordered restaurants to “reduce density” by half, WFLA reported

Illinois

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered all bars and restaurants in the state to close starting Monday, March 16. The measure is expected to last at least through the end of the month.

Indiana

The state of Indiana also ordered bars and restaurants to close throughout the state, with takeout and delivery services permitted through the end of March.

Iowa

For two weeks, Gov. Kim Reynolds will shutter all dine-in services and allow only takeout, WHO reported.

Kentucky

Gov. Andy Beshear ordered all restaurants and bars to cease any in-person traffic with the exception of takeout.

Maryland

“We have never faced anything like this ever before,” Gov. Larry Hogan said in a press conference. “This is going to be much harder, take much longer, and be much worse than almost anyone is currently understanding. And unfortunately, far too many people have chosen to continue crowding bars and restaurants, willingly putting the health and safety of others in grave danger.”

To limit the spread of the virus, Gov. Hogan closed restaurants, bars, fitness centers and theaters. Restaurants in healthcare facilities can remain open, and carry-out, drive-thru and delivery are still permitted in eateries that can provide those services.

Massachusetts

In addition to closing all public and private elementary and secondary schools for three weeks, Gov. Charlie Barker said that any restaurant, bar or establishment which offers food or beverages won’t be allowed to serve patrons on site. The measure went into effect effect on Tuesday and will continue through April 6.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh ordered bars and clubs to cut their capacities in half by removing tables and chairs to encourage social distancing, according to NCB Boston.  In addition, the formation of lines outside venues will be banned, and the city’s beer gardens will not be allowed to open until the virus has been effectively contained. While most public eateries must close by 11 p.m., those that allow takeout or delivery are allowed to remain open later.

“We are basically allowing every single establishment that serves food in the city of Boston to serve takeout,” Walsh said.

Michigan

Bars and restaurants in Michigan will also close dine-in services, with takeout and delivery options available. At present, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said it’s too early to determine how long the order will be in effect, WOOD-TV reported.

Minnesota

Gov. Tim Walz ordered dine-in restaurants and bars to close across the state from Tuesday through March 27.

New York and New Jersey

Starting Tuesday morning, all restaurants, bars and cafes in both New York state and New Jersey will be limited to takeout and delivery services only. Nightclubs, movie theaters and theater houses, gyms and concert venues will be completely closed

“This is not a decision I make lightly. These places are part of the heart and soul of our city. They are part of what it means to be a New Yorker,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio wrote on Twitter. “But our city is facing an unprecedented threat, and we must respond with a wartime mentality.

North Carolina

Beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Gov. Roy Cooper limited all bars and restaurants to takeout or delivery services. Grocery stores, gas stations and convenience stores may remain open but cannot allow sit-down service. The order also lifted some of the restrictions on unemployment benefits to help those affected by closures, even if they are still employed — just not receiving a paycheck.

Ohio

Gov. Mike DeWine announced Sunday that he had ordered all bars and restaurants in the state to shut down service effective that night, NBC News reported

“How long will this order be in effect? We don’t, frankly, know,” DeWine told reporters. “It will be in effect for as long as it needs to.”

DeWine said carryout and delivery services were not included in the order, and added that his administration is working to help small businesses.

Oregon

Gov. Kate Brown placed a statewide ban on gatherings of more than 25 people on Monday and restricted restaurants and bars to takeout and delivery only, KOIN reported

Pennsylvania

Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all restaurants and bars in the state’s most populous countries to suspend dine-in services starting on Monday. The measure is expected to last two weeks. Takeout, delivery and drive-through food business is still permitted.

Rhode Island

Gov. Gina Raimondo ordered restaurants, bars and coffee shops to close sit-down dining services and remain open only for drive-thru and delivery through March 30.

South Carolina

Takeout and delivery services will be the only service available to customers at restaurants and bars throughout South Carolina, the governor announced after coronavirus cases continued to rise.

Vermont

After declaring a state of emergency on March 13, Gov. Phil Scott announced all restaurants and bars will close except for takeout through April 6, with a possibility of the order being extended.

Washington State

Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington State, which has the second highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country, signed a statewide emergency proclamation ordering all restaurants, bars and entertainment and recreational facilities to shut down temporarily.

Although there will be no dine-in services allowed, restaurants are allowed to serve takeout. Grocery stores and pharmacies are also exempt from the ban, which went into effect Monday.

West Virginia

West Virginia was the last of the 50 states to confirm a COVID-19 case. It, too, will limit restaurants and bars to close with the exception of carry-out and delivery services, WHSV reported.

Wisconsin

As of Tuesday afternoon, Wisconsin also banned restaurants and bars from serving customers at sit-down tables but will allow takeout and delivery, WBAY reported.  There is no date set for when they will be allowed to reopen.

In municipalities and states that have not yet implemented strict regulations, the CDC is urging that any kind of large gathering (with 50 people or more) be canceled or postponed for the next two months.

“Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual,” read the latest CDC guidelines, released Sunday.

Before heading out, stay up to date on your city or state’s latest guidelines regarding restaurant closures by visiting its official government-run website or the CDC.

Updated 03/16/2020