Waco Reporter

WACO – Waco officials have closed bars as well as the dine-in services for restaurants, microbreweries and wineries, KWTX reports.

The city is following in the footsteps of two of the state's largest counties in declaring a state of disaster and public health emergency, the news agency reported. The order bans any gatherings with 50 or more people whether indoor or outdoor. Mayor Kyle Deaver said the order would likely be extended through the end of March after the initial seven day order.

Prior to the order closing bars and restaurants, many restaurant owners were already working to combat the spread of the virus, KWTX reported.

The Texas Restaurant Association issued a statement that said the restaurant community will continue using "no contact" procedures with drive-thru, pick-up and delivery to help reduce the spread of the virus.

"More than 50% of food consumed by citizens of Texas comes from restaurants," the news release stated. "With grocery store shelves already bare, the more than 50,000 restaurants in Texas, are heavily regulated by their health departments and are voluntarily doing even more to keep people safe."

The city also closed public libraries, the Cameron Park Zoo, the City of Waco Community Centers, the City of Waco Senior Centers, the Waco Convention Center, the Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Waco Tourist Information Center, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum and the Lake Waco Wetlands.

The Capitol Visitors Center, the Capitols Visitors Parking Garage, and the Texas State Cemetery have also been closed and groups of more than 50 have been banned, according to the news agency.

The Texas Capitol in Austin also closed last week, as well as both Houston and Dallas and their communities are also under the same measures, according to the news agency.

McLennan County currently has 34 COVID-19 cases.