Washington (CNN) Republican Rep. Devin Nunes of California on Sunday contradicted health experts' recommendation that Americans practice "social distancing" to curb the spread of coronavirus, instead urging "healthy" Americans to continue patronizing businesses during the pandemic.

"If you're healthy, you and your family, it's a great time to go out and go to a local restaurant, likely you can get in easily," Nunes said during an interview on Fox News as many cities announced new restrictions on bars and restaurants to limit gatherings.

"Let's not hurt the working people in this country ... go to your local pub," he added.

The suggestion directly contradicts recommendations put forth in recent days by government agencies and public health experts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been urging "social distancing" -- defined as "remaining out of places where people meet or gather" and "avoiding local public transportation" -- even if you don't have any symptoms of the virus as a way to slow the spread of the disease.

The recommendation, which comes as the coronavirus continues to take hold in the US, has caused some states and cities to implement drastic regulations on businesses, including in Nunes' home state of California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom has said that bars, nightclubs, wineries and brewpubs will be closed during the pandemic. The state's restaurant capacities must also be reduced by half.

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