Gov. Cooper: Alcohol Sales From Restaurants in NC Must Stop at 11 p.m.

With coronavirus (COVID-19) cases somewhat stabilizing, but still too high, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said that effective Friday, July 31, alcohol sales from restaurants in North Carolina must stop at 11 p.m.

"To drive down numbers and continue our trends moving in the right direction, we're announcing today a statewide curfew on the sale of alcohol at restaurants," Cooper said. "Effective this Friday, July 31, restaurants must stop selling alcoholic drinks after 11 pm. Bars will remain closed."

The measure comes as several states and cities are issuing similar mandates, as concerns rise that many restaurants were functioning essentially as bars in later hours, with larger crowds and less social distancing.

"As of today we have more than 116,000 lab-confirmed cases; 1,749 new cases since yesterday; 1,244 people in the hospital; and, sadly, 1,820 people who have died," Cooper said.