Cooper Targets Late-Night Alcohol Sales In NC Coronavirus Order

NORTH CAROLINA — Last call will soon come earlier in the evening in North Carolina. In a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus, North Carolina will ban the sale of alcohol at restaurants in the state after 11 p.m., Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday.

Bars remain closed in the state. The executive order setting the alcohol sale curfew at restaurants goes into effect Friday.

The ratcheting down of alcohol sales comes as community spread continues throughout the state. North Carolina's total number of COVID-19 cases rose by 1,749 newly confirmed cases Tuesday, increasing the number of known cases of the virus to 116,087. The number of patients of hospitalized with coronavirus-related illness surged to 1,244 patients, in increase of 75 hospitalizations in the state in the span of one day.

Compared with other states, North Carolina's COVID-19 numbers are stabilizing, while other states are experiencing spikes, Cooper said in a news conference. "In order to start a downward trend, we have to double down on actions that slow the spread of the virus."

Last week, Mecklenburg County enacted a similar alcohol sales curfew following videos posted on social media showing businesses crowded with patrons not wearing face coverings or socially distancing.

It's a scenario that's a breeding ground for spreading the virus, according to officials.

"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. "We want to prevent restaurants from turning into bars after hours. We’re hopeful that this new rule can help drive down cases."

Executive Order No. 153 will remain in place through 11 p.m. Aug. 31.

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