Kentucky, Ohio restaurants ordered to close

Restaurants have closed dine-in services in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana to prevent further spreading of coronavirus, according to state governors in separate statements. Bars and nightclubs are also either fully or partially closed for prevention.

Drive-thru and delivery options will be unaffected by this change. In many dining locations, customers will still be able to enter a restaurant to order, but they will not be allowed to eat inside.

The partial closures are intended to adhere to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s recommendation of social distancing, which encourages venues to cancel events attended by 50 or more people for the next eight weeks and suggests that people maintain a distance of six feet. 

In his statement, Kentucky Governor Beshear acknowledged how this new rule will affect not just those dining out but those who own local eateries.

“We are asking so many people to make sacrifices. It is not lost on me that most of these are small businesses. We are going to do everything we can to be there for you. We realize the impact this will have and we will be there for you,” Beshear said in a statement publicized by the Herald-Leader.

To support restaurants who had bought large quantities of liquor in preparation for St. Patrick’s Day, Ohio Governor DeWine announced today that the state will launch a liquor buyback program, according to a story by The Hill.

According to DeWine, the new move does not have a set timeframe.

“It will be in effect as long as it needs to,” DeWine told reporters, according to the AP Columbus wire.

While Beshear and DeWine have yet to establish how long this closure will last, Governor Holcomb said restaurants in Indiana will be closed at least through the end of March, according to a story by the Indianapolis Star.

Students are encouraged to check out the websites and social media accounts for individual restaurants to see how their hours and policies have been affected by the new state guidelines.

The Northerner is currently investigating the impact of the switch to online learning, including but not limited to how housing, dining, student workers, labs, studios and the office of Health, Counseling and Student Wellness will be affected. For any questions you’d like to know about the decision, contact us anytime on Twitter or Instagram. For questions or concerns about how the virus could potentially affect campus, contact us or email covid19@nku.edu. Keep checking The Northerner for all updates on NKU’s switch to alternative instruction.