Arlington County Implores Restaurants To Close Over Coronavirus

ARLINGTON, VA — While Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser we able to exercise their authority in the last few days and order restaurants and bars to close their doors in response to the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, things are a little different on the other side of the Potomac River.

Arlington Board Chair Libby Garvey and County Manager March Schwartz sent out a letter Monday asking restaurants and bars in the county to close their dine-in services by 10 p.m. Unlike other jurisdictions in the area, Arlington doesn't have the authority to order them to do so.

"We have seen some restaurants get very creative with how to do carryout with social distancing," the letter said. "Encouraging carryout service is a good way to help these small businesses and their staffs make it through this challenging time."

In the letter, Garvey and Schwartz pleaded with the owners of these businesses to voluntarily close to keep patrons and servers safe. "Otherwise, we will likely be overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases and the health of everyone in Arlington will be in jeopardy," they said.

Garvey took to social media after Tuesday night's deadline to post a link on her Twitter account showing that she had signed a petition requesting Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam order all restaurants and non-essential gathering places closed due to the coronavirus.

This is important - please let the Governor know: https://t.co/33ogsnVrJ6
— Libby Garvey (@libbygarvey) March 17, 2020

Related: Arlington Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know