COLUMBUS – Columbus officials want to move up last call – by about four hours – to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Mayor Andrew Ginther and Public Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts are calling on City Council to approve an ordinance Monday that would require bars, nightclubs and restaurants to close at 10:00 p.m. every night starting Tuesday to curb community spread of COVID-19. That is one hour earlier that Ginther and Roberts proposed on Friday.
Ginther and Roberts announced the policy change during a televised briefing form City Hall Monday morning.
“Our public health experts tell us that the later bars stay open, the fewer folks abide by social distancing practices,” City Council president Shannon Hardin said.
The order does not limit the customer capacity of bars and restaurants, or impact outdoor dining or carryout operations, so long as social distancing and other precautions are maintained.
“We are at a critical point in our fight against COVID-19 which continues to spread and increase in our community. Shortening the time that people gather in groups will help reduce the risk not only to those who participate, but the entire community,” Roberts said.
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Columbus have increased 20% since the state’s economy began its phased-in reopening and the city is among 11 cities urged by the White House Coronavirus Task Force to take “aggressive” steps to combat the spread of the disease.
The city recorded at least 200 cases per day on 12 days during July, Roberts said, with the greatest rate of spread among those between the ages of 20 and 39 years of age.
Columbus Public Health will hand out a warning for a first violation, but a fine of $500 will be levied for a second violation and $1,000 for subsequent offenses. Repeat violations may result in the establishment being closed.
Franklin County leads the state with 15,862 cases of COVID-19 after reporting 180 new cases Monday. Five more deaths were reported in the county, where 494 people have died, also the highest number of any Ohio county.
The state reported 1,104 new cases Monday for a total of 85,177 with 3,344 deaths.