Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Sunday that all restaurants and bars in the state must close at 9 p.m. on March 15.

Carryout and delivery services will still be available.

“This is a matter of life and death,” said DeWine.

Following that decision, Lt. Governor John Husted said expedited unemployment funds will be available to help mitigate the job loss caused by the orders related to COVID-19.

“We don’t want to make that announcement without letting them know that you can go apply for unemployment and get it immediately,” said Husted.

Husted said he expects federal assistance will be needed to support that decision.

Restaurant employees affected by the order to close will be eligible for expanded unemployment benefits.

Additionally, Husted said so will employees of companies that shut down operations temporarily or those who have been quarantined.

More information regarding those new guidelines are available online at unemployment.ohio.gov.

Husted also announced that restaurants and carriers of temporary permits for events scheduled between March 12 and April 6 are eligible to return recent purchases of high-proof liquor to their supplier agency.

Husted noted that the liquor must have been purchased within the last 30 days.

“We want as many Ohioans to make it through as possible,” said DeWine. “For us to not take these actions today will cost lives.”