Florida bars and restaurant owners are not sure if it would survive after the state banned the sale of alcoholic drinks inside the establishments. 

This was after it was found out many of the businesses have been ignoring the state's reopening rules.

Governor Ron DeSantis ordered a statewide shut down in March and let businesses operate at 50 -percent inside capacity in June as part of a three-part reopening plan.

On June 26, a new ban was released in the state.

Bars and restaurants are blamed for the increase in new coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

Boston University School of Medicine Study said that heavy breathing in close presence in bars presents a perfect way to spread the coronavirus.

"Can you do social distancing at a bar? Can you wear a mask while drinking? Bars are the perfect place to break all those rules," Member of BU School of Medicine Dr. David Hamer was quoted in a Washington Examiner report.

It would be better for those places to open while following the rules, DeSantis said.

"I think that's probably less risky than what a lot of the young people end up doing. They're still going to do things, most likely. And you may end up doing things in ways that are even riskier," DeSantis was quoted.

Alcohol drinking inside bars and restaurants is not allowed, according to The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). 

DBPR said it set up a web page. Citizens can anonymously send worries about businesses that may be ignoring the rules of the reopening plan through a web page DBPR has set up.

Alleged Noncompliance of Establishments

A restaurant in Daytona Beach, accused of seating patrons at full capacity, is one of the complaints.

Also, a restaurant in Oviedo may be allowing employees to work despite being tested positive for COVID-19.

In Titusville, a restaurant was reportedly running at almost full capacity and made patrons wait for tables inside.

DBPR inspected the said Titusville restaurant and confirmed the allegations. A follow-up visit was done two days later, and the claim was not seen.

DBPR has yet to issue sanctions to any of the said establishments.

DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears was sorry for the shutdown. 

"Nothing I say or do will stop the pain small business owners are feeling. I empathize & understand, I've been there. It's more than u: it's your employees & the families they support. I'll keep taking the hate if it makes any of you feel better," Beshears tweeted.

Beshears said that the ban is being re-evaluated daily.

Business Owners on the Shutdown

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association CEO Carol Dover told Fox News that she has seen many bars and restaurants ignore the state's safety rules.

But Dover said the majority have been following the rules. He thinks it is unfortunate that only a few people obey the rules making it hard for everybody.

Dover said the business would be much affected. Businesses will have to depend on selling alcohol-to-go.

Orlando bar owner Matty Bullitt said it is wrong to include those who followed the rules.

"You would think that the proper steps would be to find the culprits, find who's breaking the guidelines, and shut them down individually. But to paint that broad stroke among everybody just isn't fair," Bullitt was quoted in a report.

Want to read more? Check these out!