A surge in coronavirus cases in the Madison area has led Dane County to curtail many in-person activities at bars and restaurants there starting on Thursday.
Dane County is forcing bars to stop serving alcohol indoors, according to the newest order issued by the county Wednesday morning.
“Customers may enter bars only for the purposes of ordering, pickup, and payment of food or beverage or while in transit,” the new order said. It will go into effect at 8 a.m. Thursday morning.
Indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people in the county, not including employees, while only 25 people can gather for outdoor gatherings. Physical distancing is required in all settings except for family members and others who live in the same household.
Restaurants are limited to 25 percent capacity indoors, while outdoor service is allowed at bars and restaurants as long as tables and chairs are at least six feet apart.
The move comes after 482 people in Dane County tested positive between June 20-26.
– 59 percent of those cases came from people who are between 20 and 29 years old.
– 48 percent of people interviewed after testing positive in that time said they had gone to a gathering with others outside their home.
– 35 percent of those people said they went to a bar.
The Tavern League is considering a lawsuit, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Molly Beck.