State Takes Steps to Limit COVID-19 Spread

Concord, NH – Today, Governor Chris Sununu announced that the State of New Hampshire is prohibiting scheduled public gatherings over 50 people and transitioning restaurants and bars to mandatory offsite eating effective at close of business tonight.

All restaurants and bars in the State of New Hampshire will be required to serve patrons by takeout, delivery, and drive-through methods only.

"Knowing neighboring states have closed restaurants and bars has caused New Hampshire to evaluate those states actions and their impact on New Hampshire's population risk profile," said Governor Chris Sununu. "This action will help slow the spread of this virus in New Hampshire. We do not take this decision lightly. This will be hard, but we are all in this together. Service industry employees affected by this temporary change will be able to qualify for unemployment benefits effective immediately tomorrow, where we will announce steps and set up a hotline and website for any worker adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic."

This order affecting restaurants and public gatherings will remain in effect until Monday, April 7, 2020.

An emergency order will be released tonight.

Governor Sununu's Emergency Order #2 Pursuant to Executive Order 2020-04 on restaurants, bars, and public gatherings.