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DAY CELEBRATION.. NOW, THEY'RE LEFT WITH INVENTORY AND UNCERTAINTY.. NO PUBLIC GATHERINGS OF 50 PEOPLE OR MORE AND NH BARS AND RESTAURANTS LIMITED TO TAKE OUT, DELIVERY, AND DRIVE THRU ONLY.. THOSE ARE THE DIRECTIVES HANDED DOWN FROM THE GOVERNORS OFFICE LATE MONDAY AFTERNOON.. "I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING TO US TO DOWN TOWN.. THE OWNERS THE SERVICE INDUSTRY WORKERS..THE STATE, THE COUNTRY.. IT;S DEVASTATING NEWS.. JUST FOUND OUT NOW, AND TRYING TO PROCESS IT ALL.. TOMORROW IS SUCH A BIG DAY FOR SO MANY PEOPLE" ST PATRICKS DAY IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST AND MOST LUCRATIVE DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR NH BAR OWNERS.. MANY SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON FOOD AND ALCOHOL IN PREPARATION FOR THE CELEBRATION.. NOW THEY'RE SCRAMBLING.. FINDING CREATIVE WAYS TO UNLOAD SOME OF THAT INVENTORY.. MIKE SOMERS, THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE NH LODGING AND RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION, SAYS OWNERS WILL BE WORKING THROUGH THE NIGHT.. "YOU GOTTA APPRECIATE THE INGINUITY.. I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS ARE OFFERING ST PATTY DAY MEALS FOR DELIVERY, TAKE OUT.. WORKING WITHIN THE SYSTEMS THEY'VE GOT.. WE'RE CERTAINLY SEEING SOME CREATIVITY HERE, BUT NOTHING WILL REPLACE A BUSY ST PATTYS DAY.." SOMERS SAYS THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES 67,000 PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF NH.. THERE'S IS A GREAT DEAL OF CONCERN FROM THE BUSINESS MEMBERS AS TO HOW THEY WILL HELP THOSE EMPLOYEES THRU THIS DIFFICULT TIME.. "WE'RE GONNA DO THE VERY BEST WE CAN.. WE HAVE ANOTHER BAR IN PORTLAND, BUT PORTLAND IS FIND WORK FOR THEM SOMEHOW.." IT'S OBVIOUSLY HARD TO PREDICT EXACTLY WHAT THE FINANCIAL IMPACT WILL BE, BUT SOMERS SAYS IT

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Gov. Chris Sununu is calling on New Hampshire restaurants and bars to shift operations to take-out, delivery or drive-through services only in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.>> Download the FREE WMUR appThe order will take effect after the close of business Monday night. "Create that social distancing, limiting interaction," Sununu said. "They're going to stay open. They can have that takeout menu. People can go into the facilities and take that food out. We just ask folks not to sit and eat a meal in there.">> COVID-19 coronavirus in New Hampshire: What you need to knowThe move follows a similar order that will be in effect starting Tuesday in Massachusetts.>> Latest coronavirus coverage from WMURThe governor said there was growing concern that St. Patrick's Day revelers who couldn't go out in Massachusetts would head north to New Hampshire, potentially hastening the spread of the coronavirus in the Granite State."We reached out to a few different cities across the state, and that was one of the things we heard," Sununu said. "It's St. Patrick's Day. A lot of people may be coming out of Boston. There's a higher infection rate there. There was concern that a tight public gathering would be contrary to public health advisories that were out there, and we want to make sure we're protecting folks."Sununu said the order will last until at least April 6, when the state will reassess the threat of the virus.More broadly, public gatherings will be limited to 50 or fewer people. These are decisions the governor said he does not take lightly."We do have to make some tough decisions, but the health and safety of our citizens is paramount," he said.Restaurant owners said the order will hurt business."I think it is absolutely devastating to us, to downtown," said Patrick Mills, general manager of Bonfire. "The owners, the service industry workers, the state, the country -- it's devastating news. I just found out now and am trying to process it all. Tomorrow is such a big day for so many people."Mills said his restaurant will try to find ways to help its workers."We're going to do the very best we can," Mills said. "We have another bar in Portland, but Portland is closed longer than New Hampshire is right now. We will stand by our employees and find work for them somehow."The president and CEO of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association, Mike Somers, said owners will be working through the night.“You've got to appreciate the ingenuity,” Somers said. “I know a lot of folks are offering St. Patty Day meals for delivery, take-out. Working within the systems they’ve got. We’re certainly seeing some creativity here, but nothing will replace a busy St. Patty’s Day.”Somers said the hospitality industry employs 67,000 people in the Granite State. There is much concern from business members as to how they will help those employees through this difficult time.It is hard to predict exactly what the financial impact will be, but Somers said it will certainly be in the millions of dollars when it is all said and done.