SARASOTA (WSNN) – Suncoast bar owners and residents are sounding off against shutting down bars in Florida.
On Friday, the Florida Department of Business and Professional regulation suspended all premises consumption of alcohol sales at bars statewide, as COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise.
Only packaged liquors and to-go beverages are allowed.
Papa Joe’s Sports Bar owner, Joe Harris, says they just went through this, and this may be harder than the first time. He says all the government funds are gone.
“The unknown is what’s killing us,” Harris, said. “We don’t know when we’re going to reopen. It could be next week, it could be three months from now. The governor has not said how long we’re going to be closed, so we don’t know.”
He says they will be operating solely on packaging liquor to-go.
Bradenton residents in Sarasota, Sheli Harrod, and John Vegas say they’re upset about the shutdown. They’re avid pool players and are unhappy they can’t see their friends and socialize. Harrods says we’re on our way to prohibition and she doesn’t understand it.
“It’s not fun drinking at the house,” John Vegas said.
“It’s not the same at home,” Sheli Harrod said.
“I say, let everybody get it, and get over it, and we all be immune to it,” Vegas said. “You just have to be careful with the elderly people who are more susceptible. But, as far as everybody getting it, it’s not any worse than the flu or a cold.”
Governor Ron DeSantis says the step was taken because people were not following the guidelines.