Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in keeping with other Cities around the nation Thursday signed an Executive Order limiting restaurants to takeout only.

Under the mandate, bars and gyms must also close, alongside other businesses where people gather.

Bottoms’ move is in an effort to “slow the spread” of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in keeping with C.D.C. guidelines and recommendations out of The White House.

“I have signed an Executive Order, effective at midnight, limiting restaurants to take out service, closing bars, gyms, etc.,” Bottoms posted to Twitter Thursday.

“The fate of cities across the globe will be upon soon if we do not follow recommendations on ways to slow the spread of the Coronavirus.”

The Executive Order goes into effect at midnight tonight, March 19.

To assist restaurants with providing take out take service, a second Executive Order calls for the suspension of towing and booting of vehicles in the City’s right of way, the Mayor tweeted separately.

Bottoms is also waiting on legislation to pass that would allow restaurants to offer alcohol to-go.

“If there is a provision in state law that empowers me to waive alcohol take out, I’ll gladly sign it,” Bottoms tweeted.

“I’ve just not seen it yet.”

Several Atlanta restaurants had already voluntarily closed dining rooms and moved to takeout only in anticipation of the City mandating such.

Other brick-and-mortar businesses went ahead and shuttered completely in an ultimate show of social distancing.

Supermarkets and pharmacies remain open.

Click here to keep up with all of What Now Atlanta’s ongoing coverage of the pandemic as it relates to the City’s businesses.