Bars lose appeal in fight against virus-related closures 2 months 4 weeks 2 days ago Thursday, January 14 2021 Jan 14, 2021 January 14, 2021 6:47 AM January 14, 2021 in News Source: Associated Press Share: Louisiana bar owners fighting coronavirus -related closures of their businesses lost an appeal Wednesday at a federal appeals court. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday upheld rulings from two lower court judges who last year refused to block the closure order for groups of bars that filed suit in the New Orleans and Lafayette areas. A three-judge 5th Circuit panel rejected the argument that Gov. John Bel Edwards’ closure order is unfair because it allows bars with food permits to remain open. The opinion said there is a plausible basis for the state’s premise that businesses that are driven more by alcohol sales than food sales are more likely to spread the virus.