Bill Would Allow To-Go Cocktails During Coronavirus Shutdown

YARDLEY, PA — A bill by a Bucks County lawmaker would let restaurants serve to-go cocktails during Pennsylvania's coronavirus shutdown.

The bill is sponsored by state Rep. Perry Warren, a Democrat from Yardley.

House Bill 327 would let restaurants or hotels that have lost more than 25 percent of their average monthly sales because of the shutdown make "prepared beverages and mixed drinks" and sell them for curbside pickup.

The House overwhelmingly approved an amended version of the bill on Tuesday and it now goes to the Senate for approval.

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According to the bill, the drinks would have to be in lidded containers. No more than 64 ounces could be sold at one time, the bill says. Customers would have to carry the drinks in their trunk or another area of their vehicle not occupied by the driver or passengers.

The bill, not surprisingly, has the backing of the liquor industry.

"This is a common sense solution that will help small business owners struggling to cope with the impacts of COVID-19," said David Wojnar, of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. "We are grateful the House recognized the need to take additional steps to support the hospitality industry in Pennsylvania during this time."

If it passes, the legislation would remain in effect during the shutdown and a mitigation period following it.

Pennsylvania's state wine and liquor stores were ordered to close in March, as social distancing measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus went into effect. Many of them were reopened for curbside pickup on April 20.

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