TO CLARIFY: In pretty much all cases below, when it comes to restaurants, "shut down" refers to dining in only; they're pretty much all still allowing delivery/carryout orders.
Last night I posted a diary which noted the bar/restaurant/etc. closures of several states. This version includes an updated summary, as things are moving VERY quickly.
Summary so far:
- STATEWIDE CLOSURES:
- California (still allowing dine-in as long as patrons are spaced widely)
- Connecticut (carryout/delivery only)
- District of Columbia (still allowing dine-in as long as patrons are spaced widely)
- Illinois (carryout/delivery only)
- Indiana (carryout/delivery only)
- Kentucky (carryout/delivery only)
- Maryland (carryout/delivery only)
- Massachusetts (carryout/delivery only)
- Michigan (carryout/delivery only)
- New Jersey (carryout/delivery only)
- New York (carryout/delivery only)
- Ohio (carryout/delivery only)
- Rhode Island (carryout/delivery only)
- Washington State (carryout/delivery only)
- PARTS OF STATE:
- Pennsylvania (Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties)
- CITIES:
- Las Vegas (carryout/delivery only)
- Los Angeles (carryout/delivery only...as opposed to rest of CA statewide policy)
As more & more venues and events are delayed or cancelled outright and more states close their schools (Vermont is the latest to do so statewide), you'd think that the public would learn to take a hint and #StayTheFHome. Via CNN:
New studies in several countries and a large coronavirus outbreak in Massachusetts bring into question reassuring assertions by US officials about the way the novel virus spreads.
These officials have emphasized that the virus is spread mainly by people who are already showing symptoms, such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing. If that's true, it's good news, since people who are obviously ill can be identified and isolated, making it easier to control an outbreak.
But it appears that a Massachusetts coronavirus cluster with at least 82 cases was started by people who were not yet showing symptoms, and more than half a dozen studies have shown that people without symptoms are causing substantial amounts of infection.
...Several experts interviewed by CNN said while it's unclear exactly what percentage of the transmission in the outbreak is fueled by people who are obviously sick versus those who have no symptoms or very mild symptoms, it's become clear that transmission by people who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic is responsible for more transmission than previously thought.
Unfortunately, you'd be wrong. Via FOX32 Chicago:
Chicago bars packed with St. Patrick's revelers in spite of coronavirus
Chicago bars were packed Saturday afternoon into the evening as revelers celebrated St. Patrick's Day a few days early and ignored warnings about the coronavirus pandemic.
"If you are young and healthy, listen up. We need you to follow social distancing guidelines too. You can have the unintended tragic effect of spreading COVID-19 to others who may be more vulnerable," said Gov. JB Pritzker, noting with exasperation that he saw a lot of people out and about on Saturday afternoon in Chicago.
The governor and other Illinois officials have been encouraging people to stay home and practice social distancing when they have to go out. "Social distancing" generally means staying at least six feet from other people and not dawdling anywhere you don't need to be.
The city canceled the annual dyeing of the Chicago River and St. Patrick's Day parades were also put on hold in order to discourage people from coming out and partying. However, the crowds of mostly young adults seemed not to care about the risk of contracting coronavirus or spreading it to others who are more at risk of a serious or fatal outcome.
"You know, we're trying not to think about it and just have fun regardless," Lauren Anthony told Fox 32 News as she was out barhopping.
Well, Lauren Anthony may be a fucking idiot, but the government is responsible for not only her health but that of her parents and grandparents as well, so this was the next inevitable step:
UPDATE: Add Kentucky, statewide:
UPDATE: Add New York (statewide), New Jersey and Connecticut:
UPDATE: Add Maryland to the statewide list:
There's also DC, which seems to be taking the California "6-foot spacing" approach for restaurants:
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser released a statement Sunday that ordered licensed nightclubs to shut down operations, and all eating and drinking establishments to eliminate bar seating while the city works to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Following up an advisory announced Friday that limited all gatherings to 250 people or less, the new guidelines include:
- Suspending all bar seating and service to standing patrons
- Limiting all individual tables to six people or less
- Mandating that all tables and booths be spaced at least 6 feet apart.
The city announced six new positive cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the D.C. total to 16.
Sunday’s statement was meant clarify the emergency policy for restaurants, taverns, nightclubs, and multi-purpose facilities. On Friday, Bowser’s team said that the 250-person limit was not formulated with most restaurants in mind, but it could apply to bigger venues outfitted with banquet halls.
Earlier Sunday, celebrity chef and humanitarian activist José Andrés announced that his ThinkFoodGroup would close all its restaurants in D.C. and New York City. Restaurant magnates Danny Meyer, David Chang, and Daniel Boulud shut down their D.C. properties over the past few days, too.
Before the weekend, the city’s liquor authority had already pulled licenses for three bar crawls that would have attracted large crowds for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dupont Circle and the U Street NW corridor.
Starting last week, many D.C. restaurants have used their email distribution lists and social media accounts to tout their expanded cleaning efforts and plans to expand delivery options. Many perpetually crowded restaurants, like Filipino mainstay Bad Saint and hot new pasta spot Reveler’s Hour, put out word of new options for takeout.
UPDATE: Add Indiana…
UPDATE Add Rhode Island...