In an effort to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) has barred the sales of alcohol by restaurants after 11 p.m., WTVD ABC-11 reports. It will go into effect July 31st.
While North Carolina has ordered bars closed, certain establishments that hit a threshold of percentage of sales from food are classified as restaurants, which were allowed to remain open but at 50% occupancy.
The curfew is designed to prevent crowding at these locations, which have been hotspots for the spread of the coronavirus.
“Public health experts and examples from other states show that bars and other places where people gather closely together are a high-transmission setting,” Cooper said.
The ban duplicates one set up by the city of Raleigh earlier. Other jurisdictions may implement curfews that cut off sales earlier, should they choose.