PROVIDENCE — Restaurants and bars around the city and state are beginning to voluntarily close their doors for now as the state tries to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

They ranged from the hip and fashionable to the old standbys, the corner pub to the swanky cocktail bar. Siena, Scialo Brothers Bakery, North and Al Forno are among those closing their doors for the time being.

And the hospitality industry is preparing for the possibility of more changes to come: Federal Hill Commerce Association Executive Director Rick Simone said Sunday night that his organization would support a move to close restaurants and bars in the state except for takeout and delivery, as happened in Massachusetts Sunday.

Gov. Gina Raimondo had not yet made such an order as of Sunday, instead sternly warning people to stay home and stop the spread of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus.

But if she did make the move, Simone said his organization would support it for the greater good.

"There’s no question our hearts are breaking," Simone said. "It’s going to be devastating to a lot of people. But if we don’t do it now, it could be a lot more devastating."

Some layoffs began Sunday, Simone said.

Among those announcing changes Sunday: Restaurant owner James Mark has temporarily closed his North restaurant and Dean Bar, both in the Dean hotel, as well as his Big King restaurant in Providence’s Luongo Square.

Chelo’s said Sunday night that it was closing its dining rooms until further notice and will do takeout only at its eight restaurants in Rhode Island. It would offer curbside pickup and a 10% discount, it said.

The Newport Restaurant Group closed all of its restaurants voluntarily. They include 22 Bowen’s, Avvio, Bar ‘Cino, Boat House Waterfront Dining, Hemenway’s, Iron Works, The Mooring, Trio, Waterman Grille and Papa Razzi (in Massachusetts). Castle Hill Inn expects to be open for lodging.

Nolan’s Corner Pub on Federal Hill also reported they are closing as are Al Forno, Persimmon, Loie Fuller’s, and Siena, which has locations in Providence, East Greenwich and Smithfield.

Scialo Brothers Bakery on Atwells Avenue said in a Facebook posting Sunday afternoon that it would be temporarily closed, effective immediately.

Also Sunday, the city said it issued letters of violation to Wonderland, a strip club on Allen’s Avenue, and Parkview Bakery Cafe, on Broadway, which has a liquor license and is open until 1 a.m. Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Paré said in a news release Sunday that the letters, issued for violations of their entertainment licenses and the 100-patron limit, require them to stay closed until further notice.

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, in the same release, urged "every resident and business to be a part of the solution .... We are sensitive to the impact these circumstances are having on our local economy, but we only have one opportunity to do this right and will not tolerate unnecessary risks to the health of our residents. I am asking that everyone stay home as much as possible; follow the recommendations the City and the State have issued; and to be the solution. I also want to thank the establishments who have worked with us, followed these limitations and have been part of the solution."

The businesses that closed voluntarily join Gracie’s and AS220 Food as Providence establishments that have closed because of the new coronavirus outbreak.

"Nolan’s will be voluntarily closed until the national health crisis is over," they posted on Facebook saying they believe "that merely being open is tacitly encouraging people to go out in public."

Loie Fuller wrote on its Facebook page, "After discussing everything with our staff we feel that this is the best solution for both our staff and patrons."

Angelo's Palace Pizza in Cumberland is closing its dining room. It will continue to offer takeout through their drive-thru window and delivery.

Jo’s American Bistro in Newport also said it is voluntarily closing for now.

Sons of Liberty, the brewery and distillery in South Kingstown, and Shaizdon Beer Co. in West Kingston have both shut down their tasting rooms, opening only for sales.

Mark reported his restaurants have been busy the last two days, "really busy."

But the fact COVID-19 can be spread without symptoms showing has him shaken. He has staff who are immuno-compromised and others who live with elderly parents or grandparents.

"If I was complicit in the serious illness or death of a staff member, guest, or their family? I wouldn’t be able to handle that guilt," he wrote.

It was just last Thursday when the Department of Health told Rhode Islanders that if they were healthy, they could go out to dine. But on Saturday, Gov. Gina Raimondo, seeing an increase in the new coronavirus cases, urged people to stay home.

Restaurants are wondering if a closure order may be the next step to contain the outbreak as government officials see a rise in cases.

On Broadway and Atwells Avenue on Sunday afternoon, businesses were adjusting to the times and preparing for whatever comes next. The crowds varied restaurant by restaurant, from mostly empty to more than half full.

At Seven Stars on Broadway, for example, a sign on the front door informed customers that they should follow a series of X’s on the ground, made with blue tape, to keep people a few feet away from each other. Several tables inside the establishment had also been removed to create more space between patrons.

At the Nitro Bar, a posting on the door said the coffee spot would close at 2 p.m. and from then on, only offer takeout and limit its hours to 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"This is the general consensus from the community as the responsible action to take," the posting said.

At about 1:30 p.m., there were few if any lines on Atwells Avenue in the shops selling traditional Italian food. A sign hanging on the door at Tony’s Colonial food store said: "We have fully sanitized our establishment and (are) taking precautions to keep virus away."

Call or check the websites or Facebook pages before heading out as more establishments close or limit their hours.

gciampa@providencejournal.com

(401) 277-7266

On Twitter: @gailciampa