California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has modified its rules around alcohol amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Apparently, the party doesn’t have to stop just because we’re spending more time inside! The department of ABC has mandated a regulatory relief to help support the alcoholic beverage industry in efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. As a result, local restaurants and shops can sell wine, beer, and pre-mixed drinks with your food orders!
ABC Announces Regulatory Relief for ABC licensees. Learn more https://t.co/tLENgUBjtm pic.twitter.com/5ieD3AP2M5
— CaliforniaABC (@CA_ABC) March 20, 2020
The new rules state that restaurants must already obtain an ABC license and that containers withholding alcohol must have a secure lid, with no hole for a straw. The temporary relief also states that all alcohol must be sold with food and that distilleries can only sell 2.25 liters per customer, a day. Bans on alcohol not being permitted at drive-through windows as well as cut off times on alcohol sales between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m have been lifted.
Standard rules regarding alcohol in cars still apply — if you’re transporting booze in your vehicle, they’ll have to be in the trunk of your car.
Though these newly implemented rules won’t necessarily alleviate all the damage that the restaurant industry is facing while complying with statewide orders, the opportunity to sell unused inventory is surely a step in the right direction. So the next time you think about ordering takeout from your favorite local eatery, be sure to ask if you can add a bottle of wine to your dinner as well!