Coronavirus: Any bars, restaurants that reopen would likely be ordered to close, health commissioner says

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Restaurants and bars are not allowed to return to normal operations, but can continue to offer carry-out and delivery.

“In the event that some choose to reopen prior to actual official approval to reopen by the governor ... we would simply do our investigation and issue a cease operation order,” Health Commissioner Jeff Cooper of Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County said Thursday during a press conference on the coronavirus situation.

The new orders also require that all workers wear face coverings on the job.

“We just need to become more comfortable with the fact that employees at all businesses will be required to wear face masks,” Cooper said.

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“Face coverings help protect all of us,” he said.

It is going to be up to each employer to enforce that, and each human resources department needs to address exceptions.

He also reminded that masks are not a replacement for social distancing, and that people need to practice good hand washing, sanitizing and cleaning of surfaces and not sharing items as well as staying home when sick.

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“We would encourage all individuals when in public and visiting stores and other events to wear a mask or face covering,” Cooper said. “Even a simple cloth face mask can really reduce what we expel when we cough, when we sneeze or even through breathing.”