The Vermillion City Council met Tuesday evening to hear an emergency ordinance to address the public health crisis caused by COVID-19.

The ordinance would become effective Monday, March 30, and would require, all restaurants, food courts, coffee houses, bars, breweries, distilleries, wineries, clubs, cafes, and other similar places of public accommodation offering food and beverages for on-site consumption, including any alcohol licensees with on-sale privileges, closed to on-site/on-sale patrons. These businesses may continue to operate in order to provide take-out, delivery, curbside service, and drive-thru service.

Alderman Tom Sorensen speaks about the Vermillion Community -

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Council President Kelsey Collier-Wise talks about the impact on Vermillion businesses -

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Other businesses ordered closed until May 30th include public pools, health clubs, athletic facilities, and theaters, including movie theaters, and music or entertainment venues, and spa’s, hair salons, massage parlors, and video lottery casinos. The ordinance would be automatically repealed unless extended or suspended by a meeting of the council.

Proponent testimony was read into the record from three area physicians encouraging adherence to Governor Kristi Noem's executive order.

Huron, Deadwood, Rapid City, Yankton, and Brookings have passed or are considering similar measures. First reading of the Vermillion ordinance passed 8-1.