COLUMBUS – Governor Mike DeWine says the state’s order for bars and restaurants to shut down alcohol sales early is under review.
The Republican governor says he understands the hardship the ban has meant to bars and restaurants but is also trying to control the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
“We’re trying to live with the virus, we’re trying to keep our economy moving, we’re trying to get people employed. But, at the same time, we know that if this thing flares back up again, there isn’t anybody going to restaurants,” DeWine said during his regular televised coronavirus briefing Tuesday.
The governor said Tuesday several big city mayors have asked that it stay in place but acknowledged one mayor asked that it be lifted. DeWine also said without providing details that he’s talking with state lawmakers about aid for small businesses hurt by the economic slowdown.
The ban on alcohol sales after 10:00 p.m. was implemented in July to help slow the spread of the coronavirus by limiting late-night socializing. It was issued as Columbus was preparing to implement its own restriction during a spike in coronavirus cases in Franklin County
The state on Wednesday reported 1,080 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 for a total of 153,987 with 4,804 deaths. The number of active cases by 613 to 15,803.