Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch POLICY DIRECTIVE No: 20 – 05
The BC Government came to us with some un-expected good news in these uncertain times. For the next few months restaurants and food service bars will be able to offer take-out packaged alcohol with the purchase of a meal. No doubt this will help some of our favourite small, independent bars make some much needed revenue over the next while. No news on togo cocktails or mixed drinks yet, but we’ll keep you posted.
Here’s the official wording from the release:
Date: March 21, 2020
To: Liquor primary and food primary licensees permitted to remain open during the COVID 19 health crisis.
Re: The sale and delivery of packaged liquor for off-site consumption with the purchase of a meal.
Current Policy
The sale and delivery of packaged liquor for off-site consumption by a liquor primary or food primary licensee is prohibited, except in the case of a liquor primary licensee with an off-premises sales endorsement.
New Policy
Liquor primary and food primary licensees that are permitted to remain open during the current health crisis are authorized to sell and deliver packaged liquor of all types from the service area for off-site consumption to patrons with the purchase of a meal, subject to new terms and conditions for these purposes.
The delivery of liquor by licensees is subject to terms and conditions. The delivery of liquor by a third-party delivery service is also subject to provision in the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation and to new terms & conditions for these purposes. Licensees are required to know the terms and conditions applied to their licence. Please ensure you are fully aware of these before you commence the sale and delivery of packaged liquor. The applicable terms and conditions regarding the sale of packaged liquor, delivery of liquor by a licensee and delivery of liquor by a third-party are also attached to the email containing this directive.
This authorization remains in effect until July 15, 2020.
Explanation
Temporarily permitting liquor primary and food primary establishments to sell and deliver liquor products as part of their services assists the public in observing social distancing measures and also provides essential support to the hospitality industry in the present provincial health crisis.
Further Information
Further information regarding liquor and cannabis control and licensing in British Columbia is available on the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch website at http://www.gov.bc.ca/liquorregulationandlicensing
If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch toll free in Canada at 1-866-209-2111 or 250 952-5787 if calling from the Victoria area.
Original signed by
Dugald Smith,
A/Assistant Deputy Minister and General Manager
