Allowing people to drink at home, the order says, would help reduce the number of people gathering in bars and restaurants and allow companies to increase their revenues.
“This order will help people avoid settings that could help increase the spread of the virus, while giving restaurants and bars a financial boost that they need right now,” Governor Cooper said in a written statement. “With large cases and hospitalizations across the country, let’s all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 while supporting small and local businesses safely.”
And even though Cooper’s current executive order ends with on-site alcohol sales at 9 p.m., the order allows companies to continue to sell alcohol until the time set by county and state laws.
“For example, if the law stipulates that sales of alcoholic beverages end at 2 a.m., an authorized seller may sell a mixed beverage for delivery or consumption outside the store until the unit closes and at 2 p.m. shows in order.
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The order also allows the delivery of mixed drinks, either by restaurant employees or by a third-party delivery service, however, the supplier must be over 21 years old and only one drink per person can be ordered for delivery. Deliveries will not be allowed at university residences or in any place where the sale or possession of alcohol is not approved.
The order enters into force on Monday evening at 5 pm and will expire on January 31, 2021.
Triangle restaurant owner Gaurav G Patel, president of Eschelon Experiences, said the order could be a huge help to the industry.
“I feel it will help. Obviously, anything helps, especially when it comes to the bar,” Patel said. “There are definitely some nuances that, there, you know, if you read it carefully and pay attention, that could really help the restaurant and bar industry in the next 60 days.”
As of August, at least 33 states and the District of Columbia have temporarily allowed cocktails to run during the pandemic. Only two – Florida and Mississippi – allowed them on a limited basis before hitting the coronavirus, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.
Fighting restaurants across the country have said it is a lifeline, allowing them to hire bartenders, pay rent and re-establish customer relationships.
The US restaurant industry has permanently lost more than 110,000 restaurants and beverages.
According to a survey by the National Restaurant Association, as of December 2, 17% of industry units have closed permanently or closed long-term.
The US government has not released preliminary data on drunk driving for 2020. But Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governors Association for Highway Safety, said there was no anecdotal evidence that drunk driving increased during the pandemic.
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