DALLAS – The city of Dallas will close all bars, restaurants, gyms and theaters within the city limits in an unprecedented effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The restaurants will be allowed to operate delivery and take-out following an order from Mayor Eric Johnson, but cannot have their dining room open. The new rules go into effect at 12:00 a.m. Tuesday, meaning Monday is the final day any of those businesses can be open.

Public and private community gatherings of more than 50 people are also banned. The decision was announced Monday afternoon after Dallas County officials announced five new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total in the county to 19.

Food Delivery Deals when staying home due to Coronavirus:
— $15 Free DoorDash Food Delivery Credits
—$7 off UberEats with code eats-ubervip4me
and Free Delivery from all local restaurants during this crisis
—$100 Free Delivery Credit: Food, Alcohol, and Most Anything

Code enforcement officials along with the support of the Dallas Police Department will ensure the order is obeyed. The closings are for an indefinite period of time.

President Donald Trump also announced on Monday new health guidelines (but not requirements), including no gatherings of more than 10 people, not participating in discretionary travel, and not eating at bars, restaurants and food courts.

Dallas is far from the only place to take action to slow the spread of COVID-19. Bars, restaurants, movie theaters and casinos are being shut down at 8 p.m. Monday throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut because of the coronavirus, the states’ governors said. Restaurants and bars there will move to takeout and delivery services only. New York is changing its rules to allow bars, restaurants and distilleries to sell their products off premises, Cuomo said.

Over the weekend, states like California, Ohio and Illinois ordered bars and restaurants to shut their doors or limit service.

In North Texas, there are 19 cases of coronavirus in Dallas County, five in Tarrant County, eight in Collin County and one in Denton County. That number will likely go up as more people get tested for the virus.