Moscow’s emergency ordinance bans in-person services at restaurants and bars

*If your business has been closed down due to the Restaurant and Bar Order please reach out to us via email at [email protected]

Moscow City Council held an emergency meeting Friday to address the growing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The council passed Ordinance No. 2020 – 03 which gives Mayor Bill Lambert emergency powers for the safety of the city of Moscow.

This gives Lambert the power to enforce the following orders: Advisory Order, Social Distancing Order, Isolation Order and Quarantine Order.
Following this ordinance, Lambert passed Public Health Emergency Order No. No. 20-01 Mass Gatherings, Restaurants and Bars which falls under a Social Distancing Order.

The Restaurant and Bar order — which was enacted at 12:00 a.m. Saturday — restricts restaurants and bars from holding in-person services and limits gatherings of more than 10 people in the City of Moscow.

While the bill was originally only for seven days, City Council moved to extend with Resolution No. 2020-06.

“Then after (the Restaurant and Bar order), the third item on the agenda I presented was the resolution for the council to extend that order that (Lambert) just signed minutes before and make it effective through May 5,” Gary J. Riedner, city supervisor, said.

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The Restaurant and Bar order is allowing restaurants and bars to provide certain amenities like take-out, pick-up, drive-thru, curbside and delivery.

The Restaurant and Bar order does not apply to the following: business: grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies. Or services that provide food to people experiencing homelessness.

Some of the businesses that have had to shut down due to the Restaurant and Bar Order according to their social media pages: Mingles Bar and Grill, The Plant Bar and Grill, Corner Club and the on campus Starbucks.

Alex Brizee can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @alex_brizee