Denver Mayor Michael Hancock ordered the closure of all restaurants and bars except for delivery and carryout service Monday in an attempt to curtail the spread of the new coronavirus, which is surging throughout the world.

The rule will take effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday and remain in place for eight weeks.

Hancock also announced a number of other measures, including the closure of all city DMV locations until further notice. Expired registrations and newly purchased vehicles will be offered a grace period while the locations are closed, he said.

Social distancing has been implemented for those held in the Denver jail, and the sheriff’s department will stop booking people accused of lower-level, nonviolent crimes, Hancock said. The court system will continue to operate because people are guaranteed a right to a speedy trial, he said.

In a sharp reduction from the 250-person limit imposed on gatherings last week, Hancock said groups are now not to exceed 50 people, following guidance Sunday from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

“Denver, this is the time we rise up together,” he said.

Hancock ordered the closure of city venues last week, and his announcement Monday ending dining in at restaurants follows similar moves made by several states.

City inspectors will enforce the rule, which expires May 11, he said.

“This is not about a criminal act, this is more of, again, a public safety move,” he said. “While we expect everyone to comply, our inspectors will be active in the city to make sure we’re managing it.”

Other businesses like movie theaters and gyms should follow suit and restrict large groups while cleaning as often and as thoroughly as possible, Hancock said.

He encouraged residents to patronize restaurants via delivery, drive-through and carry-out orders to help them help them stay afloat.

Some Denver area restaurants and food halls have already taken steps to close temporarily.

Just how much Denver’s economy will suffer from shutdowns related to coronavirus remains to be seen, said Chief Financial Office Brendon Hanlon, because it takes time for the city’s books to catch up to current trends.

“The challenge is that any activity going on right now economically, these businesses are going to collect sales and use tax during the month of March and they will have all of April to remit those dollars to the city,” Hanlon said.

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