Community Corner

Oconee County Local Emergency Order No. 3

The Georgia Department of Revenue is automatically extending income tax filing and payment deadlines to July 15, 2020.

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Press release from the Oconee County Government:

April 29, 2020

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Whereas, the State of Georgia remains under a State of Emergency and is subject to Executive Orders issued by the Governor Brian Kemp, most recently on April 23, 2020; and

Whereas, local restaurants and holders of licenses under the Oconee County Alcoholic Beverages Ordinance, the “Ordinance”, are allowed greater flexibility to meet the current circumstances under State laws and regulations than under the Ordinance; and

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Whereas, the County desires to extend to its licensees under the Ordinance the flexibility allowed under State laws and regulations;

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

Each licensee under the Ordinance is hereby permitted to make sales of wine and beer for pickup at its licensed location in the manner outlined by the Georgia Department of Revenue on the attachment to this Order entitled “Sale of Alcoholic Beverages during COVID-19” until the expiration of the State Declaration of Emergency or the until this Order No. 3 is rescinded, whichever occurs first. Any provision of the Ordinance which would act to prevent such sales is hereby suspended only to the extent necessary to allow such sales and shall not be enforced until such expiration.

This 28th day of April, 2020.

John Daniell, Chairman

Oconee County Board of Commissioners

Attest:

Kathy Hayes, County Clerk

(County Seal)

Coronavirus Tax Relief Information

The Georgia Department of Revenue is automatically extending income tax filing and payment deadlines to July 15, 2020.

Vehicle registrations that expire between March 16, 2020 and May 14, 2020 are also being extended through May 15, 2020.

Sale of Alcoholic Beverages during COVID-19

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages via carry-out, drive-in window, online sales or curbside delivery/pickup.

  • Can a restaurant, brewpub, beer growler or other consumption-on-premises alcohol retail licensee sell alcoholic beverages for carry-out purposes or through a drive-in window?

    A restaurant, brewpub, beer growler or other consumption-on-premises alcohol retail licensee may sell wine and beer in UNOPENED packages only to customers for carry-out purposes or through its drive-in window, except:

    • On a day or at any time when the sale of package beer or wine is otherwise prohibited by law; or
    • At any location which is within distances to grounds or buildings where the sale of alcoholic beverages is otherwise prohibited by law; or
    • A “bar” as defined in O.C.G.A 3-1-2 (2.1), pursuant to a State of Georgia Executive Order dated March 23, 2020, issued by Governor Brian P. Kemp for a period beginning at 12 noon on March 24, 2020 and ending April 6, 2020.

    A restaurant, brewpub, beer growler or other consumption-on-premises alcohol licensee is prohibited from selling distilled spiritsfor carry-out purposes or through its drive-in window.

  • Can a grocery store or package store sell alcoholic beverages for carry-out purposes or through a drive-in window?

    Yes, a grocery store may sell wine and beer in packages to customers for carry-out purposes only. A package store may sell beer, wine and distilled spirits in packages to customers for carry-out purposes and through its drive-in window.

  • Can a restaurant or brewpub accept online sales for food orders with unopened packages of beer and wine for customer pickup?

    Yes, a restaurant or brewpub may accept online sales of food and unopened packages of beer and wine for customer pickup at the restaurant or brewpub with the following conditions:

    • The customer must present identification to an employee of the restaurant or brewpub to confirm the individual picking up the order is at least 21 years of age.
    • An individual or business providing third-party delivery services may not pickup and/or deliver an order to a customer. Likewise, a retailer may not deliver alcohol to customers.
    • A restaurant or brewpub may not set up an outside location for customers to pick up food orders with unopened wine and beer, except for an employee standing next to an open doorway or window to hand off the order to the customer during the COVID-19 outbreak period.

  • Can a grocery store or package store offer online sales of alcoholic beverages with curbside delivery or pickup?

    Yes, grocery stores, package stores and other alcohol retail licensees that do not sell alcoholic beverages for consumption-on-premises are permitted to offer online alcohol sales for curbside delivery or pickup.

    • Note: Alcoholic beverages sold and delivered via carry-out, drive-in window, online sales, or curbside delivery/pickup must comply with Georgia Revenue Regulations 560-2-3-.03, 560-2-3-.09 and 560-2-3-.15.

    This press release was produced by the Oconee County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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