BREAKING: Coronavirus CONFIRMED In WV, Gov. Justice Orders All Bars, Restaurants And Casinos To Close
Chad Wyrick
4 min read
LEWISBURG, WV — West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced Tuesday evening that all bars, restaurants and casinos in the state will be closed to avoid any potential spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). There has now been 1 case of Coronavirus confirmed in West Virginia in the eastern panhandle.
https://twitter.com/WVGovernor/status/1240033971330633729
Earlier today, President Donald Trump praised West Virginia for being the only state in America without a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Trump today praised West Virginia, the only state without reported coronavirus cases. "The governor … he must be doing a good job"https://t.co/TBwkpfcnDJ pic.twitter.com/fPA3u257id
— POLITICO (@politico) March 17, 2020
Justice noted on Monday that he had declared an emergency in the state despite no positive results out of the 80 coronavirus tests that had been completed. 4 tests were pending. 1 of those 4 tests has now came back positive.
On Monday evening, Justice received backlash on Twitter from encouraging the people of West Virginia to continue going out to public restaurants and stores.
“Go to the grocery stores. For crying out loud, go to the grocery stores. If you want to go to Bob Evans and eat, go to Bob Evans and eat,” he said Monday. “If we get to the point in time where we’ve got to close the grocery stores and drive a truck around and whatever and bring groceries to people and everything, we’ll do that.”
It didn’t take long for Twitter to chime in on the Governors statement.
He looks like he never leaves a Bob Evans. https://t.co/ypyxN56xue
— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) March 16, 2020
West Virginia didnt test anyone and think there aren't any covid cases in their state. Just like I didn't open my bills and hence don't owe any money
— Ganesh Ranganathan (@ganeshran) March 16, 2020
Here’s a current list of states that have closed restaurants and their respective regulations:
California
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday called for all bars, nightclubs, wineries, & breweries to close, according to KTLA.
Restaurants will be allowed to stay open but will be asked to decrease occupancy by 50% to keep people farther away from each other, Newsom said at a news conference.
Colorado
Colorado’s governor has announced restaurants will be closed to dine-in customers for the next 30 days, reports KDVR.
Connecticut
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that restaurants in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey will only be open for takeout.
Illinois
All bars and restaurants will be closed to dine-in customers as of end of business Monday night, through March 30, according to WGN.
“As your governor I can’t allow the gravity of these decisions from taking the measures that experts say will keep people safe,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
Indiana
Gov. Eric Holcomb said bars, nightclubs and restaurants are required to close for in-person dining, Fox 59 reported. Delivery and takeout services are still allowed through the end of March, according to the governor’s office.
Kentucky
Governor Andy Beshear has ordered all Kentucky restaurants and bars to close to in-person traffic. Takeout will still be an option.
Maryland
Gov. Larry Hogan ordered the shutdown of all bars, restaurants, movie theaters and gyms in Maryland, effective at 5 p.m. Monday.
Massachusetts
Governor Charlie Baker announced a ban on eating in restaurants and bars in Massachusetts due to the coronavirus concerns, WWLP reported.
Take-away and delivery services won’t be affected by the rules, nor will grocery stores or pharmacies.
Michigan
To prevent the spread of coronavirus, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be ordering bars to close and restaurants to stop dine-in service in Michigan Monday, according to WOOD-TV.
Under the order, takeout and delivery will still be allowed.
Whitmer said it’s too early to say how long the order will be in place.
Minnesota
Governor Tim Walz has ordered bars and dine-in restaurants to close through March 27 beginning Tuesday evening.
New Jersey
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that restaurants in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey will only be open for takeout.
New York
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that restaurants in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey will only be open for takeout. Read more from WIVB in Buffalo.
North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper has closed all restaurants and bars in the state for dine-in customers. Takeout and delivery orders can continue, according to WGHP.
Ohio
Gov. Mike DeWine announced all restaurants and bars in the state will close at 9 p.m. Sunday, except to carry out, drive-thru and delivery food and drink service, according to WCMH.
DeWine said he came to the decision after being contacted by citizens around the state sharing photos and stories of crowded bars Saturday night, despite warnings of social distancing and the governor’s edict limiting crowds to no larger than 100 people.
Oregon
Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced Monday that the state would be implementing a ban on gatherings of more than 25 people and restricting restaurants and bars to offer take-out and delivery only, according to KOIN.
Pennsylvania
Governor Tom Wolf has ordered bars and restaurants to only offer takeout or delivery. The new regulations begin Monday at midnight.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s governor ordered all restaurants, bars, coffee shops to shut down to in-person diners until March 30, drive-thru and delivery services can remain open, according to WPRI.
Vermont
Governor Phil Scott has announced bars and restaurants can only service customers takeout effective Tuesday night.
Washington
Gov. Jay Inslee plans to issue an emergency declaration on Monday that would close restaurants, bars and some entertainment facilities to public visitors.
Restaurants will be able to provide take-out and delivery options. However, there will be no in-person dining.
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