Florida bars, nightclubs closed for 30 days to help stop spread of coronavirus, liquor stores see increased business

ORLANDO, Fla. — Just as Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered that bars and nightclubs close for the next 30 days in the state, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced a ban of on-site alcohol sales in the city.

Bars and nightclubs in the state are suspended for 30 days, beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, DeSantis said. He also said restaurants will have to limit their occupancy numbers to 50% of their capacity.

LIVE UPDATES: Florida has 192 coronavirus cases; bars, nightclubs suspended for 30 days

This all comes on a day known for celebratory gatherings and drinking: St. Patrick’s Day.

Michael Day and his friend Pieter were having a party of two downtown for the Irish holiday. They had food, some music and non-alcoholic beer.

“We don’t want to break the rules, so we are trying to stay distant and stay legal,” Day said. “Hopefully the temporary pinch will lead to better long term results and US having fun real soon.”

Breweries like Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company are getting creative, and taking to-go orders only.

“That’s about the only way we are going to be able to be making sales for the next couple weeks,” said Glenn Closson with the brewing company.

And people are already buying.

“We don’t need more toilet paper we have plenty of that already,” said customer Ben Humphries, laughing.

However, nightclubs like Mango’s Tropical Cafe don’t have that creative option.

“We have a show and people and it’s a party in here, and that is exactly what you don’t want right now,” owner Joshua Wallack said. And by 5 p.m. Tuesday, the club that can hold more than 2,000 people was locked up.

“Instead of just slap it was pricks,” Wallack said. “It was like 500, 250 and as soon as the CDC said 50 people for eight weeks, I was like, ‘That’s it.’"

Doug Taylor, a managing partner for Church Street Entertainment, said the new orders will have a tremendous impact.

“We’ve never faced a mandated closure before. These are unusual times,” he said. “We need to do what’s in the public’s safety in our judgement. We’ve got to act responsibly, and we worry about the impact of our employees, of course."

All enforcement will be handled by the state.

Wine and liquor stores have seen an increase in business as a result of the closures.

Watch Dyer’s news conference in full below:

Watch DeSantis’ news conference below:

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