New Ohio Senate bill would repeal the coronavirus-related 10 p.m. last call at bars

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A bill sponsored by Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof and 23 other Republican and Democratic senators would repeal an executive order requiring bars and restaurants stop serving liquor at 10 p.m. (Kaytie Boomer|MLive.com)

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A bill sponsored by Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof, Speaker Pro Tempore Bob Peterson and co-sponsored by 22 Republican and Democratic lawmakers would repeal an executive order requiring bars and restaurants stop serving liquor at 10 p.m.

The order, which the Ohio Liquor Commission adopted and Gov. Mike DeWine signed July 31, also requires customers to finish their drinks by 11 p.m.

“Ohio’s restaurants and bars have suffered immensely from the restrictions placed on their industry during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Obhof, a Medina Republican, said in a prepared statement.

“In order to survive, we have seen them step up during this crisis and find innovative ways to safely serve their customers and keep hundreds of thousands of Ohioans employed. These are our friends, our neighbors, and leaders in our communities, and Senate Bill 374 will help them keep their jobs and their doors open.”

Other sponsors of SB 374 include Sens. Nickie Antonio, a Lakewood Democrat; John Eklund, a Geauga County Republican; Nathan Manning, a North Ridgeville Republican; Kristina Roegner, a Hudson Republican, and Kenny Yuko, a Richmond Heights Democrat.

Over the past two weeks, the number of daily cases and hospitalizations has increased. On Thursday, Ohio broke a record with 2,178 new cases. The state is in a surge.

Gov. Mike DeWine said that he stands behind the order.

“That’s just something I don’t think we’ll be able to do at this point,” he said about lifting the order. “If we get this virus down, we certainly be able to do that.”

DeWine said would like to offer bars and restaurants help financially to help offset their loses during the coronavirus pandemic. He said he’s been talking to people in the industry and he’d like to work with lawmakers on legislation that would do that.

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