Chattanooga closes dine in services

Mayor Andy Berke closes dine in services at city bars and restaurants.

They can still offer take out.

Gyms also closed.

To chattanooga mayor andy berke signing an executive order that closes dine-in services for city restaurants and bars.

News 12's robyn estabrook joins us live in the studio with the details.

This comes after hamilton county officials confirmed the second and third covid-19 cases yesterday.

Mayor berke says the threat posed by coronavirus grows more serious each day.

According to officials, social distancing is the only way to slow the spread.

Mayor berke says it's a difficult but necessary decision to temporarily close dining service in restaurants and bars across chattanooga.

Gyms and fitness centers in the city limits will be closed as well.

Mayor berke says his thoughts are with those impacted.

"the last thing in the world that i want to do is to see businesses and the individuals who work in them hurt by the environment that we see today."

Mayor berke is urging people to suppoprt restuarants by buying gift cards and ordering takeout or delivery.

The mayor's office says they will connect small business owners and workers with resources to help get them through this difficult time.

In the studio, robyn estabrook, news 12