CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County leaders are working on a proposal that would ban alcohol sales in restaurants across the county on a nightly basis beginning at 10 p.m. to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the Charlotte area.
In an email obtained by WCNC Charlotte, County Manager Dena Diorio said Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, as well as the towns of Davidson, Matthews and Mint Hill will sign the order. Cornelius, Huntersville and Pineville will not sign the order, according to Diorio's email.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said she will sign this order when it crosses her desk.
This order would be similar to the "Last Call" order issued by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, which stops all alcohol sales at 11 p.m.
The proposal will need to be signed and approved by the Board of County Commissioners. At this time, it's unclear when the ban would start, but it would be in place as long as North Carolina is in Phase 2, which goes through August 7.
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille owner Matt Wohlfarth said he expected this to happen and said he's tired of the back and forth on restrictions.
"It's very hard for morale," Wohlfarth said. "There won't be profit after this.
Wohlfarth expects his business to lose roughly $5,000 a week. He knows it will be safer, so he'll follow the rule, and he doesn't envy the tough decision being made.
"I don't like this rule, but I don't know what I would do if I was them," Wohlfarth said.
"Many of the young people seem not to be taking the virus as seriously as they should," McMaster said. "It's time for our younger adults to behave like mature adults."
The governor said young adults who are rapidly contracting the virus and spreading it into communities frequently congregate in late-night atmospheres which simply are not conducive to stopping its continued transmission.
The governor’s order does not apply to alcohol sold at convenience or grocery stores, wine and liquor stores, or retail business. It took effect last Saturday, July 11.
County leaders don't have a date on when the new rule would start but said it would last through Phase Two.