This is a developing story. Last updated 3/19 at 11:57 am EST. Currently, 37 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have shut down bars and on-premise dining at restaurants.
Ohio did it. After being the state with the hardest crackdown on prevention measures to combat COVID-19 by only allowing 100 people or less gather, they have become the first state to close bars and restrict restaurants to takeout and delivery only.
This will take effect immediately at 9:00 p.m. EST. This is only the beginning and the domino effect is starting with Pennsylvania and Illinois announcing soon after.
The first local jurisdiction to restrict bars and restaurants from opening was Hoboken, NJ, when the mayor made that announcement on Saturday, March 14.
We're providing a full list and links to the latest state closures as they come in. We'll also list states or counties that have indicated this may be coming as reports come in. Please email updates to [email protected] for your local area.
States to Announce They Are Closing Bars and On-Premise Restaurants:
Ohio
We will be issuing an order closing all bars and restaurants in #Ohio beginning at 9:00 tonight.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 15, 2020
Illinois
There are no easy decisions to make as we address this unprecedented crisis — we must do what science and experts say will keep people safe.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) March 15, 2020
With that said, I am ordering all IL bars and restaurants to close to the public as of close of business Monday, Mar. 16 through Mar. 30.
California
Governor Newsom announcement is not a mandate. You can hear in his press release when asked how this would be enforced that it is a request and he believes operations will voluntarily choose to comply.
Governor @GavinNewsom and state health officials provide an update on the state’s response to #COVIDー19. https://t.co/XfeGbgdA2F
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) March 15, 2020
Puerto Rico
Has shut down bars and non-essential places of businesses beginning at 6:00 p.m. on March 15.
Washington, D.C.
The mayor has shut down all nightclub venues, taken away bar seating, and implemented seating space restrictions.
Washington
Governor Jay Inslee has shut down bars and restaurants beginning on Tuesday, March 17.
Massachusetts
Coronavirus update: Governor Baker closes all Mass. public schools, prohibits gatherings of 25 people or more, bans on-premise consumption at bars and restaurants https://t.co/yCoQ1JiDsq
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) March 15, 2020
Michigan
This is just reported and we're still waiting for the Governor's press secretary to provide more details but Detroit Free Press has declared Michigan is requiring bars and restaurants to close at 3:00 p.m. EST as of March 16.
Kentucky
Governor Andy Beshear has followed the same path as other states allowing restaurants to still offer takeout and delivery. Bars and on-premise drinking will not be allowed effective March 16 at 5:00 p.m.
Maryland
Governor Hogan announced on-premise dining at restaurants and bars will no longer be allowed to operate.
Rhode Island
Governor Gina Raimondo has said that dine-in restaurants, bars, and cafes will close, and they prefer gatherings to be limited to 25 people or less, half of what the CDC has recommended.
Indiana
Governor Eric Holcomb says bars and on-premise dining will be required to shut down until the end of March. (Updated March 16 at 6:23 p.m.)
New York
The biggest news out of New York was not the closing of bars and restaurants but the allowing of alcohol to-go sales per a state law change. Many bars are offering to batch or prepare cocktails to go.
An updated list of states that have closed bars and restaurants due to COVID-19:
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
- Oregon
- Louisiana
- Colorado
- Minnesota
- New Hampshire
- Iowa
- Nevada
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Pennslyvania
- South Carolina
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Maine
- New Mexico
- Texas (expected later today 3/19)
Current Cities from states that haven't fully closed restaurants and bars:
- Parts of Nashville, TN and Knoxville, TN
- Kansas City, MO
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Phoenix, AZ
- Boise, ID
- Several Montana counties
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Yellowstone, WY