The Shawnee County Health Department has ordered bars and restaurants to close their dining rooms, but still allow carryout meals.

In a news conference Thursday morning, Shawnee County Health Officer Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino, M.D., M.P.H., said this order was the hardest order for him to release so far.

"“As you know, as you have been in this room multiple times, this is not the first order -- this was the most difficult one for me." Pezzino said. "I am fully aware, signing this order, I am crippling businesses. I am causing people to lose their jobs.”

According to the order, all restaurants, dining facilities, bars, taverns, clubs and movie theatres in Shawnee County must close their doors at 12:01am Thursday morning.

"Any such establishment may continue to provide carryout, drive-through and delivery food and beverage services," the order said.