Restaurants & Bars
Baker Signs Bill Allowing Takeout Wine, Beer: Coronavirus In MA
Until the end of the coronavirus crisis, Bay State restaurants can sell beer and wine alongside takeout or curbside pickup orders.
BOSTON — In an effort to help struggling restaurants survive amidst mandated coronavirus closures, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Bakers signed a bill allowing takeout wine and beer for the remainder of the crisis. Alcohol sales must be made alongside a regular takeout or curbside pickup food order, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association said in an advisory.
Under the new law, restaurants can offer beer or wine sales to-go from noon until midnight or their usual closing time, whichever is earlier. Each order can include up to 192 ounces of beer and/or 1.5 liters of wine. Wine must be in its original, sealed container, while beer containers must be sealed. A separate permit is not required to make deliveries of orders including alcohol.
It's the restaurant's responsibility to verify that the buyer is at least 21 years old and all businesses must keep copies of receipts showing that food was purchased alongside the alcohol.
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Massachusetts is not the first state to allow for takeout beer and wine sales. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved a similar measure on March 16, while Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo followed suit on March 20. On March 17, Methuen Sen. Diana DiZoglio sent a letter to the governor, co-signed by the heads of chambers of commerce and business groups, calling for Baker to do the same.
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the beer limit was 92 ounces.
Find out what's happening in Bostonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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