BREAKING NEWS: Florida bans alcohol at bars as state sets single-day coronavirus case record

No on premises consumption of alcohol at bars statewide, effective immediately

By Jason Schaumburg | The Center Square

Florida is suspending the consumption of alcohol at bars, effective immediately.

Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears made the declaration Friday on Twitter.

"Effective immediately, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation is suspending on premises consumption of alcohol at bars statewide," Beshears tweeted.

The announcement came Friday, shortly after the Florida Department of Health reported 8,942 new coronavirus cases, breaking Wednesday's single-day record of more than 5,500 new cases.

According to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, the percent of positive tests in Florida is 13.4 percent and trending up.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has scheduled a COVID-19 news conference for 2 p.m. EDT Friday.