COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine has issued an executive order limiting alcohol sales in bars and restaurants to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The Republican governor’s order bans alcohol sales after 10:00 p.m. and the consumption of any drinks purchased before then by 11:00 p.m.
The order, which took effect Friday, will also boost to three the number of alcoholic drinks that can be bought per takeout meal.
DeWine says the restriction is necessary because social distancing worsens late at night in establishments selling alcohol.
Legal challenges of the governor’s statewide order are expected.
The state reported 932 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 Monday for a total of 93,963 with 3,539 deaths. There were 20,923 active cases of the disease, 185 fewer than Sunday.
The 928 new cases Saturday represented the second consecutive daily decline in the number of new cases following a record number of 1,733 on Thursday.