COLUMBUS – Governor Mike DeWine has asked the Ohio Liquor Control Commission to ban alcohol sales in bars and restaurants after 10:00 p.m. to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
UPDATE 7/31/20 10:19 a.m.: The Commission approved the rule change
The move came as the state reported its highest single-day total of new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Nine of the 10 highest one-day totals of new cases have been reported this month.
At his regular televised pandemic briefing, DeWine said he has asked the commission to approve an emergency rule change at its meeting Friday morning that would require sales of alcoholic beverages to stop at 10:00 p.m. and that drinks be removed from tables and bars by 11:00.
The rule change, if approved, would take effect Friday night.
State and local health officials have expressed concern over the rising number of coronavirus cases among people between the ages of 20 and 29, many traced back to bars.
For the second day in a row, Ohio has reported a record number of confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 — 1,897 — for a total of 91,159 and 3,489 deaths.
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The state pharmacy board has reversed its decision to prohibit a drug for use by patients with COVID-19.
At issue is the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat the coronavirus.
The board banned prescribing the drug for the virus Wednesday and then changed its order on Thursday following comments by DeWine that the issue should be revisited.
The governor said he made his request based on comments by Dr. Steven Hahn, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, who says the decision about prescribing the drug for COVID-19 should be between doctors and patients.
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Opera Columbus announced the cancellation of Opera Columbus Presents Nina West. They hope to reschedule at a later date.