June 28, 2021
Is New York Making a Huge Mistake By Ending To-Go Drinks?

New York state's popular to-go alcohol program, which has been a lifeline for restaurants and bars during the Covid-19 pandemic will end abruptly on Thursday.

The New York State Liquor Authority announced the end of the program amid Gov. Andrew Cuomo allowing the state of emergency to expire Thursday, in turn lifting more Covid restrictions.

"Licensees please be advised that with the ending of our state of emergency and the return to pre-pandemic guidelines, the temporary pandemic-related privileges for to-go and delivery of alcoholic beverages will end after June 24," the Liquor Authority tweeted.

Industry groups representing restaurant and bar owners said that to-go alcoholic beverage sales have proved popular over the last year - though to-go beer sales are still allowed. The Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association has blasted lawmakers for failing to pass a bill to extend to-go sales, and has blamed lobbyists representing liquor stores for spreading "disinformation" that to-go sales were fueling "massive drunk driving."

Nationwide at least 15 states have made cocktails to-go permanent, while 12 states have extended to-go sales, according to Lisa Hawkins, spokesperson for the Distilled Spirits Council. She called New York's failure to pass the bill "shocking and extremely disappointing" for the state's hard-hit hospitality industry.

The news comes on the heels of more Covid restrictions being lifted at a time when rates of new positives are dipping to record lows due to more New Yorkers getting vaccinated.

"Fighting Covid and vaccinating New Yorkers are still top priorities, but the emergency chapter of this fight is over," Cuomo tweeted.

Cuomo already has the power to temporarily suspend or change laws in a state of emergency.

Cuomo had been extending the state of emergency since spring 2020, when lawmakers gave the governor the power to start passing statewide Covid mandates without needing legislative approval.

Two states have seen more than 1,000 percent in growth.

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