Yesterday we praised Mayor Deb Feinen for her emergency orders to try to curb COVID spread in the community as students return. Thankfully, Mayor Diane Marlin followed suit today, issuing similar orders for Urbana. Here is what it will do:
- Require patrons to be seated at bars and restaurants, wear masks when they aren’t eating or drinking, and maintain social distancing.
- Restrict entry to 21+ after 9 p.m. into bars with a Class A license.
- Require face coverings for anyone at a business, service, facility or organization that is open to the public when people can’t consistently maintain social distancing.
These will take effect immeditately; the age restriction will begin at 9 p.m. on Thursday.
Again, these are tough decisions that won’t eliminate the spread, but we appreciate when our leaders use the powers at their disposal to make a difference where they can.
Photo from City of Urbana website.