A resolution was passed by Hall County commissioners Tuesday afternoon that will ban all in-person and patio dining at county bars and restaurants for at least a 72-hour period.

The measure is the latest in a series of steps being taken by state and local officials to help combat the spread of the coronavirus across Georgia.

The resolution takes effect at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, and will, according to a media release from the Hall County Government, last for 3 days unless extended the the chairman of the county Board of Commissioners.

"The health and safety of the Hall County community remains at the forefront of our minds," Hall County Commission Chairman Richard Higgins said. "We are doing everything we can within our power to minimize the spread of this virus and to protect the public from its reach."

Take out and to-go orders will still be allowed under the new directive, and any business with an alcohol license will be allowed to sell bottled beer and wine with takeout meals.

The resolution does not apply to retail establishments that sell groceries, although any in-store dining areas within such an establishment would be required to close. Cafeterias inside nursing homes and hospitals are also exempt from these new requirements.

The decision comes one day after Gainesville city officials ordered restaurants to end dine-in eating, as well as the outright closure of places crowds tend to gether, like gyms, movie theaters and bowling alleys.

It also comes on the heels of Gov. Brian Kemp's ban on gatherings of 10 or more people, and the statewide closure of all bars and nightclubs.