TORONTO, ON – The Government of British Columbia has announced that temporary legislation implemented last year to allow bars and restaurants to sell alcohol for take-out and delivery has become permanent.
First introduced as part of a wave of changes to help businesses in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the law was originally to be in effect until July 15th, 2020, and was extended three times before becoming permanent.
Under the legislation, licensed establishments are allowed to “sell and deliver sealed, packaged liquor products for off-site consumption with the purchase of a meal for takeout or delivery.” Anyone who delivers alcohol on behalf of licensees is required to have Serving It Right certification.
“At the beginning of the pandemic, our government took swift action to support the food and beverage sector by making many temporary changes to help keep businesses afloat in a rapidly changing environment,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, in a statement. “Making this authorization permanent will provide approximately 8,000 businesses with long-term financial support and certainty, and will aid in the hospitality industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
This announcement comes just two weeks after a pilot program to offer wholesale pricing on beer, wine and spirits to bars and restaurants in the province was also made permanent.
For more details, see the full news release.