Restaurants and Bars Shuttered Across the U.S. in Light of Coronavirus Pandemic

As the number of cases of the novel coronavirus continue to grow, states and municipalities across the U.S. are taking drastic measures to enforce social distancing — a step that’s imperative to slowing the virus’s spread — from mandatory closures to curfews and reduced capacities.

The governors of 15 states have taken the most dramatic state-wide steps, ordering all bars and restaurants closed for dine-in service. Carryout and delivery will continue to be permitted. Mayors of major U.S. cities where there are currently now statewide mandates, like Houston and Dallas, have made the same call. Elsewhere, scores of restaurants have voluntarily closed across the country in cities like Las Vegas, Atlanta, Nashville, and Minneapolis, with more closing by the hour. Nationally, large restaurant groups Momofuku and José Andrés have closed all of their restaurants in New York and D.C. Momofuku also shuttered its Los Angeles restaurants, while some of Andrés’s are being converted to takeout-only “community kitchens.” Blue Bottle has also announced that it’s closing all of its domestic cafes.

Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said Sunday in an appearance on CNN that he wouldn’t rule out supporting a national lockdown on the country’s restaurants as a strategy to prevent wider spread. Spain and France closed down all restaurant and bar activities over the weekend to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Republic of Ireland closed down pubs.

The move towards closures highlights the importance of social distancing in fighting the global pandemic. By reducing contact and increasing distance between individuals, people can reduce the rate of transmission of the virus. If countries don’t succeed in “flattening the curve” (reducing the number of patients requiring treatment at a given time), the disease threatens to overwhelm hospitals with patients.

Here’s a list of the state- and citywide mandated closures. We’ll continue update this post as new information becomes available.

• Top Infectious Disease Expert Doesn’t Rule Out Supporting Temporary National Lockdown to Combat Coronavirus [CNN]
• Ohio Governor Orders All Bars and Restaurants Be Shut Down Amid Coronavirus Pandemic [WEWS News]
• All Coronavirus Coverage [E]

This post will be updated as new information becomes available. It was last updated at 1:59 p.m. EST, Thursday, March 19.