COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--A Franklin County Judge issued a temporary restraining order on the directive for bars and restaurants in Columbus to close at 10PM nightly.
A group of local proprietors fled the suit and got a hearing just before the order was set to take effect Tuesday night. Mayor Andrew Ginther asked city council to pass the directive to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
The judge issued a 14-day hold on the order, until a full hearing can take place. The judge argued that the 10PM time is arbitrary, and that there's no reliable scientific evidence that shows bar and restaurant hours play a role in stopping the spread of coronavirus.
Among the businesses that challenged the order--The owners of Pins Mechanical Company, Mikey's late Night Slice, and Threes Above high.