Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s decision to close food and drink businesses (except for carry-out and delivery sales) was widely expected.

Our gaze turns now to Indiana.

A reliable source tells us that Governor Eric Holcomb is meeting with state health officials later today to discuss this and other COVID-19 issues. That’s all we know at present, but some establishments in Southern Indiana are being pro-active; in New Albany, Cafe 157 (carry-out only today and tomorrow, then closing until April 1) and Pints&union (reformatting for carry-out food sales only) made announcements earlier this morning.

Beshear closes bars and restaurants in Kentucky in response to the coronavirus outreak, by Ben Tobin and Dahlia Ghabour (Louisville Courier Journal)

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered the state’s bars and restaurant dining rooms to close in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

This order will take effect by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 16, Beshear announced Monday. Carryout and delivery food orders can be continued.

“It’s not lost on me that most of these are small businesses,” Beshear said. “There are people who have spent sweat equity and maybe even life savings to open your business, I realize the impact it’s going to have but we have to take the steps necessary to protect our people.”

Beshear’s announcement comes one day after the governors of Ohio and Illinois decided to temporarily close down their state’s respective bars and restaurants.