Bars and restaurants in the City of Dunwoody will be allowed to offer only delivery and takeout under an emergency ordinance approved by the Dunwoody City Council.
Dunwoody, GA – March 18, 2020 – During an emergency special called meeting Wednesday night, the Dunwoody City Council unanimously approved temporary dining restrictions for Dunwoody bars and restaurants to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for employees and the public. The emergency ordinance advises establishments to cease dine-in services immediately, but enforcement won’t begin until Friday, March 20 at 9 p.m. to allow time to prepare for the changes.
“This is an extraordinary measure, but these are extraordinary times,” said Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch. “I empathize with restaurant owners. This is crushing to me. But we are in the middle of a public health crisis. We need to encourage people to stay home and discourage them from gathering.”
The emergency ordinance requires bars, restaurants, or businesses that sell food or beverages for consumption on premises to close in-person dining. Those establishments are allowed to offer delivery or takeout instead.
Establishments that are authorized to sell beer and wine on premises will be allowed to sell unopened beer and wine for takeout while this emergency ordinance is in effect. While providing takeout, establishments are required to limit access and provide enough room so that customers and staff can keep a safe distance.
Dunwoody’s emergency ordinance will be in effect for 30 days but can be lifted sooner than that by a vote of Council. “We can change this at any time as things get better,” Mayor Deutsch said.
Dunwoody Police will help communicate the new restrictions by visiting establishments and sharing copies of the ordinance starting Thursday.
