N.B. Will Allow Restaurants To Offer Alcohol For Take-Out And Delivery
FREDERICTON – The government of New Brunswick has made changes to the Emergency Measures Act to allow restaurants to offer alcohol on take-out and delivery orders.
“At the request of restaurants that already have a license, during the state of emergency, these restaurants will now be permitted to sell liquor along with meals as part of delivery and take-out orders,” said Premier Blaine Higgs, who made the announcement during his daily update Thursday.
He said the government has received requests from the New Brunswick Restaurant Association and restaurant owners to make the change. Other provinces, including Nova Scotia, already allow similar activities.
“Numerous restaurant owners have told us that they’re struggling to make their businesses work now that they’ve been forced to close their dining rooms, and are limited to take-out and delivery options only,” he said.
The establishments can sell drinks that they usually offer under normal times, including wine, cocktails and others, in a sealed container. But they have to comply with all “the usual rules and regulations,” including taking “special care” that the alcohol deliveries do not go to minors.
“We’re again trying to work with businesses where we can, to make it easier for them to come back and stay in business,” Higgs said.
The World Health Organization encouraged governments to restrict access to alcohol on its website on Tuesday.
“At times of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol consumption can exacerbate health vulnerability, risk-taking behaviours, mental health issues and violence. WHO/Europe reminds people that drinking alcohol does not protect them from COVID-19, and encourages governments to enforce measures which limit alcohol consumption,” the organization said.
But Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer, said the pros and cons of the move have been weighed, including the opinions of mental health and addictions experts.
“Alcohol is one of the few drugs that the withdrawal symptoms can be fatal. So there are reasons that we took into account around that, and mental health and addictions, to continue to be able to have those establishments open.”
The premier also announced that the province remains under a state of emergency for 14 more days.
“We will continue to extend the declaration every 14 days until we reach a point where we are confident that these restriction are not needed,” he said.
In addition, revisions were made to the act to clarify restrictions, including that restaurants offering take-out “must ensure that customers who are waiting for food must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres,” and that property owners have to take steps to prevent gatherings at their premises.
Another revision clarifies that gardening and agricultural businesses are allowed to open because they provide materials used to grow food.
With prescription drugs being rationed to 30-day refills instead of 60- or 90-day refills, Higgs also asked pharmacies to “remove the extra dispensing and co-pay fees associated with the new limits on prescriptions.”
Higgs also mentioned that, in his meeting with Prime Minister and other premiers Thursday, concerns may be raised that include federal funding for startups, delaying the season for the fishing industry, and an oversupply of potatoes, among other things.
He added that if things continue to go well and people continue to follow the health advice to social distance and stay home, “we’re hopeful that commencing in May, we’ll be able to see some changes in our lifestyle for the better.”
New Brunswick reported no new cases on Thursday, with the total number staying at 117. So far, 77 people have recovered.