The practice of offering alcohol to go at some bars and restaurants in the District of Columbia that helps them cope with the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic can be permanently permitted in the near future.
Businesses in the city are currently allowed to offer their customers carry-out and delivery for beer, wine, and cocktails due to the conditions prompted by the outbreak.
The regulation came as part of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Fiscal Year 2021 proposed budget that she announced last week.
Bowser’s proposals in the Alcoholic Beverage Sales and Delivery Amendment Act of 2020 stipulates permanently allowing registered bars and restaurants to provide take-out and delivery alcohol (likely accompanied with prepared food item, existing registered licensees would be grandfathered by April 1, 2021, new ones would have to request endorsement. Basic $200/annual fee required).
“These businesses, in order for them to have a lifeline, they’ve got to kind of pivot and adapt and find new ways to bring in revenue. So this is just one way they can do that,” Acting Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John Falcicchio told Fox 5 D.C. regarding the provision.
The law still needs to be approved by the D.C. Council.