MILWAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. — Food and drink sales are restricted to carry-out and delivery at countless Milwaukee County businesses.
As of Tuesday, most of the Milwaukee County municipalities announced the order imposing the drastic change.
West Allis was one of the five municipalities that implemented the change starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday on St. Patrick's Day which is one of the busiest days of the year for the restaurant and bar industry.
Paul Budiac, the owner of Paulie's Pub and Eatery in West Allis, got emotional during last call.
"We appreciate 15 years, let’s hope we can get back to doing this. Thank you. Last call," Budiac told a couple of dozen people.
Budiac fears what's to come.
"We just got a remodel done. We were having our best year so far, that's done for right now. Nobody can tell us how long," said Budiac.
Despite a widespread push for people to keep their distance in light of coronavirus concerns a couple of dozen people came out for St. Patrick's Day.
Shortly after 2 p.m., people started trickling out and reality sunk in.
"It’s a sad time in the world today. It’s affecting a lot of people's income and just livelihood," said Denis Jonas.
We met Denise and her daughter Alexandra as they left Paulie's.
Denise understands the need to prevent the spread of coronavirus but is struggling with it all.
"I never thought we would get here. I knew it was bad I didn’t think to this extreme," said Denis.
Alexandra works as a server and is anxious about the future.
"Today’s the first day so I don’t know yet, but I’m gonna try and figure out how to make money a different way. I don’t know yet it’s gonna be hard to pay bills," said Alexandra.
At this point, it's not clear when the restrictions will be lifted, but many pray it's soon.
"It is an agonizing decision for every community in this county," said South Milwaukee Mayor Erik Brooks.
Brooks says restricting food and drink sales weighs heavily on him, but the timing was critical.
"This is the biggest day of the year for these businesses we know that. It’s also the reason we had to close them otherwise we’re running the risk of getting hundreds of people into these doors in close quarters where that’s clearly against the guidance of the CDC, of state officials," said Brooks.
South Milwaukee is one of several cities that imposed restrictions soon after local health officials announced that the virus was spreading in Milwaukee County.
"Night and day, this is unlike any St. Patrick’s day we’ve ever had here in almost 25 years," said James Moran, owner of Moran's Pub.
Moran's Pub usually throws a big party this holiday.
"It’s unfortunate what’s going on, but it seems like the safe thing to do for everybody," said Moran.
Instead, they are helping another local business sell and deliver food.
Local officials bought lunch for all of their city employees from a few places on Milwaukee Avenue.
As people try to navigate these changes communities across the county hope people will continue to support businesses.
"I think the main concern is the staff and making sure that they’re taken care of," said Moran.