Beginning Friday, no inside dining will be allowed at Jefferson County restaurants, bars, wineries and other food and drinking establishments in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronoavirus, according to an executive order Jefferson County Executive Dennis Gannon signed today.
According to the order, which will remain in effect for 15 days, food establishments may still offer drive-through and carry-out orders, as well as food and beverage deliveries.
Gannon announced the order this afternoon, in conjunction with the Jefferson County Health Department, stating the order was signed in a “continuing effort to address the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Gannon said he didn’t take the decision lightly.
“I want to stress that we are not closing businesses,” he said in a written statement today. “However temporary adjustments for public health reasons are needed at this time.
“We have been advised by medical professionals that action was needed on our part to help prevent escalating the situation in Jefferson County.”
The order also states that those who run restaurants and bars must practice “social-distancing techniques,” allowing no more than 10 people at a time at the establishment where orders are being picked up and keeping people and customers at least 6 feet apart from each other.
Gannon encourages the public to still support local businesses.
“I am very sensitive to the situation that our business owners are in and at the same time, we must do what we can to ensure CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and other health officials’ recommendations and are being adhered to in order to adequately address this virus.”
In addition, the order calls for all the meetings “of boards and commissions of Jefferson County” to be canceled until the further notice.
