(KGTV) — California is now allowing breweries, bars, wineries, and distilleries to sell drinks to-go if they partner with a meal provider to provide food as well.
The state's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced the change Friday, allowing locations that do not have their own kitchen to reopen for business in some fashion.
The change comes after several requests to expand to-go sales to breweries, bars, wineries, and distilleries that do not have kitchens, according to ABC. In March, the agency allowed those locations with kitchens to sell drinks to-go with food.
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ABC says the change will help more than 50,000 small and large businesses affected by economic challenges amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"We know businesses have suffered as they continue fighting to slow the spread of COVID-19," said ABC Director Jacob Appelsmith. "We have heard directly from these businesses that the notices of regulatory relief can give them a boost and help bring more people back to work."
On May 15, the ABC issued another change that will allow these businesses to use parking lots, patios, and sidewalks to spread out dine-in customers. The agency says it is also now allowing virtual wine tasting, free alcohol delivery, extended delivery hours, alcohol transactions through pass-out windows or trays, and distilleries to make hand sanitizer approved by the FDA.