SLO closes all bars and wineries, bans dining in at restaurants due to coronavirus
San Luis Obispo has ordered that all bars, breweries and wine-tasting facilities close to the public in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Additionally, city restaurants must close indoor and outdoor seating and may only offer pick-up or delivery food.
Acting as the emergency services director, City Manager Derek Johnson announced Wednesday afternoon the temporary restrictions on restaurants and bars throughout the city.
This action is based on guidance issued from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and public health officials, the city said in a news release.
A countywide measure to stop alcohol sales at bars had been put in place from 5 p.m. Monday until noon on Wednesday to limit the spread of COVID-19.
SLO’s new rules
San Luis Obispo’s proclamation establishes that effective immediately:
▪ All bars, breweries and wine-tasting venues in San Luis Obispo must close to the public, excluding production facilities that do not include customer or other public contact.
▪ All San Luis Obispo restaurants must close indoor or outdoor seated dining and may be open only for pick-up or delivery.
▪ Bars, breweries, pubs or other alcohol establishments that serve full meals provided by a full kitchen must follow restaurant guidance and may provide only for pick-up or delivery options.
▪ Coffee shops fall under restaurants and may continue to offer pick-up service, but cannot provide indoor or outdoor seating for customers.
▪ All pick-up areas shall limit customer waiting areas in a manner that provides adequate space for a six feet of separation between waiting customer, while also providing for hand sanitation.
The city said that public-serving businesses must implement social-distancing protocols to ensure that customers of businesses open to the public maintain a six-foot distance between them.
Businesses otherwise must adhere to guidelines from the county Public Health director “to assist in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in order to reduce the length and severity of public health and economic impacts.”
The city has established free parking zones throughout downtown to support restaurants’ ability to provide pick-up services to customers.
“We all have a responsibility to protect our community during this emergency,” city manager Derek Johnson said in a news release. “The health and safety of our community remains our top priority.”
Newsom said Monday that all bars, pubs and wineries in the state should close while also calling for new restrictions on restaurants to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
SLO’s coronavirus tips
The city advises the following precautions to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19:
▪ Remain calm;
▪ Wash your hands with liquid soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available;
▪ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing;
▪ Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
▪ Regularly clean surfaces touched by many people;
▪ Stay home if you are sick;
▪ Avoid others who are sick;
▪ Avoid large gatherings of people; and
▪ People over the age of 65 and those with health conditions such as lung or heart disease, diabetes, and a compromised immune system should stay home.
People may visit www.ReadySLO.com for the latest public health updates and recommendations or call the Public Health information line at (805) 788-2903.
To receive updates from the city regarding COVID-19, people can register to SLO’s City News e-notifications on the city’s website at www.slocity.org.
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 1:42 PM.
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