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Attention restaurateurs in South Florida, Dr. Anthony Fauci wants you to close

Feds tighten precautionary guidelines to include local restaurants and bars

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, listens during a briefing on coronavirus in the Brady press briefing room at the White House, Saturday, March 14, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Alex Brandon, Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

MIAMI – In a move that continues to push the health crisis into an economic crisis, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Monday closing bars, restaurants and gyms is essential to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Fauci, an immunologist with more than half a century of experience, stood next to President Donald Trump when he said many people will view the guidelines as “overreactions” but he wants people to know the temporary measures are very well thought out.

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When reporters asked Trump if Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., should stop encouraging people to go out to restaurants, the president clarified the precautionary guideline is not an order.

Appearing frustrated with Trump’s response, Fauci, of The National Institutes of Health’s director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, took the podium during the news conference and he read the guideline for the second time.

“In states with evidence of community transmission, bars, restaurants, food courts, gyms and other indoor or outdoor venues -- where groups of people congregate -- should be closed."

As mounting evidence shows the disease is spreading in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, Trump also asked the public to avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people.

To help the businesses comply with the public health guideline, Ohio launched a liquor-buyback program. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced businesses with two to 100 employees will be eligible to receive a $50,000 loan at a 0% fixed rate “immediately.”

For more information about the state’s response to COVID-19, call the state’s COVID-19 call center at 1-866- 779-6121 or e-mail COVID-19@flhealth.gov.


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