Novi Times

Robert Gordon, the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), has announced orders that the state’s bars and restaurants are to ban indoor dining through at least Sunday, Dec. 20, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.

After implementing the order, he said there is no debate on the issue. “The science on eating and drinking inside is settled,” Gordon told Michigan Capitol Confidential.

The Kaiser Family Foundation released a report concerning other states that have banned restaurants from allowing indoor dining.

“Seven states have recently closed restaurants to indoor or all in-person dining, while 20 allow indoor dining but impose capacity limits," a November 20 report from the Kaiser Family Foundation reads. "States have been more willing to close bars — 16 states have closed bars to indoor service. However, 15 states continue to have no restrictions on restaurants, and 13 do not restrict service at bars.”

Essentially, each state has chosen its own method of dealing with the COVID-19 risks associated with indoor dining. For example, in Maine, restaurants must close at 9 p.m. and seat no more than 50 people, but bars are closed entirely. In New Jersey and North Carolina, bars and restaurants can offer indoor service (with capacity limits) but must close to between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Pennsylvania's governor recently closed all indoor dining at bars and restaurants.