North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper Halts Dine-In Option for Restaurants

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared that at 5 p.m. today, March 17, restaurants must close the dining rooms, but will be able to offer takeout and delivery.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, forty people have tested positive for the coronavirus in North Carolina.

Some chefs already implemented this policy earlier this week, like Raleigh-based chef Ashley Christensen, who took to Instagram to write:

We have suspended in house dining in our restaurants today, for the safety of the community and to give our leadership team time to formulate a plan for the path forward. To say that this is a difficult time would be an understatement. We are working hard with government officials to get support for our industry and to navigate this with thoughtfulness and care for our teams and our future. @beasleys_raleigh and @chucks_raleigh are both open for take out orders, now through 8pm. Call or walk in to place orders.@poolesidepies will be offering takeout from 5 pm to 9pm. Call, walk in, or place your order online!@poolesdiner, @deathandtaxesnc, and @foxliquorbar are closed this evening. More updates soon.