Newsom announced California is extending its licenses for businesses to sell alcohol-based cocktails for takeout after the state's full reopening on 15 June.
The news came at a press conference in San Francisco last Thursday.
California will extend the timetable for when these measures are set to be lifted while they also work on updating their laws permanently.
State laws implemented the hospitality policies last spring following state-wide shutdowns.
The Associated Press reports that the state has now awarded over 10,000 such licenses.
The reaction on Twitter by Newsom's announcement on social media was met with a positive response and usual amusement.
You read correctly. California will extend the to-go cocktail licenses for California. You can keep drinking on the go and have tasty foods too.
Restaurants have been permitted to sell pre-packaged alcohol such as bottles of beer and wine, as well as pre-mixed cocktails when ordered with food.
"I'm very excited about this, and I think this is a good thing for our economic recovery," Governor Newsom, a Democrat, said during a news conference outside Tommy's Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco,
"It's also a good thing for our public health because what occurs is more people will still be outside,"
Governor Newsom commended California state restaurants for their "resilience and innovation" this year.
Keeping compliance requirements low and supporting small businesses are just a couple of reasons why Governor Newsom supports extending the to-go cocktail and outdoor dining policy.
Food delivery is a booming industry, and craft cocktails are a fast-growing part of the hospitality market.
California will extend its popular, common-sense delivery law, allowing restaurants and bars to deliver alcoholic drinks as long as they offer food.
The ability to offer to-go cocktails has become a significant boost for restaurants' bottom lines in California
Governor Newsom makes it clear that bringing back alcohol sales to takeout items is highly important as the state's economy recovers from its current slump.
According to the Associated Press, Governor Newsom, who owns restaurants and wineries, commended the industry on its resilience and innovation.
However, restaurants, wineries, and bars have struggled with the constraints frequently changed by county.
California Restaurant Association informed lawmakers last month that about one-third of California's establishments had been permanently closed during the outbreak
The ability to order a classic cocktail from the comfort of your own home or office has allowed consumers to take advantage of an ever-growing list of drinks.
Restaurants have, in turn, received a much-needed boost in profit and notoriety from this convenient service.
To-go cocktails have ultimately made it possible for the hospitality industry as a whole to find new ways to thrive—a blessing for bartenders and customers alike.
Cocktails to-go didn't just provide customers with an easier way to take alcohol out of venues; it also provided a lifeline for the craft bartending community.
This means that bars that had been preparing themselves for possible closure in 2021 have a chance to remain open and keep serving their specialty cocktails well into the future.
What do you think about the new relaxation of alcohol laws in California? Have you had a to-go cocktail in the last year? We'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.
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