Coronavirus

States Move To Close Restaurants And Bars

Four states ban dine-in options and ask restaurants to offer to-go services only in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

States Move To Close Restaurants And Bars
Nam Y. Huh / AP
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Restaurants and bars around the U.S. are closing their doors to patrons in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Government officials in Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, Washington state and a number of cities are asking businesses to discontinue dine-in options. As a result, businesses like Chick-Fil-A and Starbucks are transitioning to provide only to-go orders, as drive through and takeout services are still being allowed. 

Meanwhile, California's governor says restaurants in the state will be allowed to continue dine-in services, but will have to reduce the number of customers they can serve at a time in order to provide space for social distancing. But bars, wineries and nightclubs in the state are being directed to close.

These decisions come as the CDC advises that gatherings of 50 people or more be canceled or postponed for the next eight weeks.

Contains footage from CNN.