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North Carolina to close all dine-in restaurants, bars

Governor Roy Cooper ordered restaurants and bars in the state to close by 5 p.m. March 17, 2020. Takeout and delivery will be allowed to continue.

NORTH CAROLINA, USA — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order Tuesday that all the state's restaurants and bars close to dine-in customers to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The order, which went into effect 5 p.m. Tuesday, still allowed for takeout and delivery orders.

Later that day, Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest challenged Cooper's order, saying he didn't have the necessary support to make this call.

"The Governor held his press conference and made the announcement even after a majority of the Council of State voted not to concur with the Governor," Forest wrote. "Thus, he does not have the authority to issue this part of his executive order."

The governor has not said when the restaurants and bars will be able to reopen to the public.

RELATED: Where North Carolina citizens can get tested for coronavirus

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