Raleigh, NC – Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order on Monday to allow restaurants and bars to sell mixed drinks to be taken and delivered to limit the spread of coronavirus.
“This order will help people avoid settings that may help increase the spread of viral viruses, while giving restaurants and bars a financial boost they need right now,” Cooper said in a statement. “With high cases and hospitalizations across the country, let’s all do our part to slow down the spread of COVID-19, while supporting safe small and local businesses. “
The order orders the State Commission for the Control of Alcoholic Beverages to waive any state regulations that would prevent people from obtaining a mixed beverage in a sealed container as a takeover order or prevent employees and contractors, such as food delivery services, from transporting such alcoholic beverages in sealed containers to customers.
Another executive order requires restaurants and bars to stop selling alcohol for consumption on the spot at 21:00, and they and most other retail companies must close by 22:00 with a night nest. The idea is to discourage people from staying up late at night and possibly spreading the virus.
However, restaurants can continue to complete pick-up and delivery orders after 10pm, and people are allowed to go out during coverage to get food.
“[E]allowing the sale of mixed beverages for off-premises consumption … will provide an additional source of revenue for restaurants and bars in the state that could offset any reduction in sales that could be caused by reduced occupancy limits and limited operating hours for these units, “Cooper writes in the new order.
Drinking would also reduce personal interactions at restaurants and bars, said both the governor and director of state health, Dr. Betsey Tilson.
“Given the transmission risks posed by sustained, maskless interactions inherent in indoor meals and beverages in restaurants, bars and similar establishments, encouraging delivery (and deployment) as an alternative to indoor meals and beverages may as far as possible reduce the risk viral spread, “Tilson wrote in a letter to the State Council.
The Council of State consists of 10 state-elected, led by the governor. The council disagreed with many of Cooper’s moves during the pandemic, especially with orders to close large segments of the economy, but agreed with the idea of drinks.
State health officials have pleaded with people in recent weeks to celebrate the holidays at home and avoid traveling or gathering with anyone outside their household because coronavirus infections and hospitalizations have reached record levels in North Carolina.
“New Year’s Eve and the winter holidays are traditionally times when people frequent bars to drink on holidays,” the Cooper order reads. “[D]urging the pandemic, public health will benefit if it is easier for people to drink and celebrate at home, reducing the number of people who gather in bars, restaurants, hotels, private clubs and distilleries. “
Lynn Minges, president and CEO of the North Carolina Restaurant and Accommodation Association, said another 30 states already allow mixed drinks.
“This alone will not save restaurants and bars, but we believe it is an important part of the puzzle, just a way we can try to generate revenue and maintain sustained business in the difficult winter months,” Minges said.
Jason Smith, owner of 18 Restaurant Group in Raleigh, called the move “an excellent lifeline.” Alcohol sales account for about a third of its revenue, he said.
“Right now, it’s about small victories,” he said. “There will be no home runs and grand slams in my industry. If I can only get a small win and rely on them, that has been my goal throughout this thing.”
The beverage plan available is limited to one drink per person per order and all those participating in the order must be present to accept delivery. No order can be taken or delivered after the time the restaurant or bar would normally stop selling in accordance with local laws. Orders to residences on the university campus or in communities where alcohol sales are prohibited are also not permitted.
Drinks should not be part of a delivery order or food delivery.
Delivery drivers must be at least 21 years old and must undergo training before they are allowed to deliver drinks on the go. They will be responsible for verifying the identity and age of all those who receive a drink and for determining whether someone is too intoxicated to obtain a drink, according to the order, which is in force until the end of January.
PolitiFactNC reporter Paul Specht contributed to this report.