Ohio liquor board approves halt of restaurant, bar alcohol sales at 10 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (FOX19) - The Ohio Liquor Control Commission voted Friday to halt the sale of alcohol at bars and restaurants at 10 p.m.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the order Friday evening, and it takes effect the same day.

The order can be read in full here.

Patrons can order drinks before 10 p.m. and continue to drink until 11 p.m., under the order.

It covers all places that sell alcohol.

Several bar owners spoke during the hearing and said this will be devastating for their businesses.

Places that sell carryout alcohol or with meals to go can continue. DeWine wants the liquor commission to expand it to three drinks.

Ohio reported its highest daily total of coronavirus cases ever on Thursday with 1,733 cases,he said.

Overall now, there are currently 89,626 cases resulting in 3,442 deaths and 61,056 people have presumably recovered, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

DeWine says he is being mindful of the economic impact during these circumstances but says the state must slow the spread of COVID-19.

“Shutting down for a second time would be devastating to Ohio’s bars and restaurants. We are not going to do that today,” he said.

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