Rathdrum closes bars, restricts restaurants

Following what many other cities have done within the past week, Rathdrum took steps to close restaurants and bars to reduce person-to-person transmission of COV-9 and combat the spread of the disease. The City Council held special council meetings on Saturday to pass an ordinance, granting emergency powers to the Mayor during a public health emergency.

Mayor Vic Holmes ordered the closure of restaurants and bars to dine-in service at midnight tonight for 14 days unless extended, terminated or modified.

During that time, all bars, taverns, nightclubs, private liquor clubs, taprooms, tasting rooms, mobile bars, cabarets and saloons, as well as all other alcohol licensed premises for by the glass sales of alcoholic beverages shall close to members, guests, patrons, customers and the general public.

All restaurants and dine-in food service, whether inside or outside the establishment, is prohibited. Restaurants and dine-in service is defined as any eating establishment including — but not limited to — coffee shops, cafes, private dining clubs, and cafeterias that give or offer for sale food to the public, guests or employees. Restaurants may not admit members, guests, patrons or customers inside the establishment, except to pick up food for take-out. Curbside take-out, drive-thru food service and food trucks (in addition to pickup service as noted above) are permitted. Delivery food service is permitted.

Where possible online and telephone credit card transactions are strongly encouraged, cash payments are strongly discouraged.

This does not apply to emergency overnight or day shelters that provide food service to persons experiencing homelessness, grocery stores and gas stations.