Ford government to allow alcohol delivery during coronavirus outbreak

Ontario's provincial government is taking measures to help out bars and restaurants that have taken a financial hit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as allowing them to sell alcohol with takeout orders or include it with deliveries according to the Toronto Sun.

Beginning on Thursday, restaurants that are still open will be allowed to sell and deliver booze along with any food order. These establishments won't require any special or additional applications from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission so long as they already have a valid liquor licences.

Hours of booze delivery will be from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Deliveries may be by offered by the restaurant itself or they have the ability to use a third-party delivery service.

Requirements that the consumer is of age and not intoxicated will fall on whomever is the liquor licence holder. A 30-day grace period will be allotted to the delivery drivers in order for them to acquire their Smart Serve certificate, this grace period will allow deliveries to start immediately.

Alcohol deliveries must arrive in a sealed container such as a can or bottle and may only be ordered with food.

The Ford government said this is a temporary measure that likely won't last beyond the duration of the self-isolation measures.

Foodora has already been providing a delivery service for the LCBO in the GTA for several months now, unrelated to the pandemic.

The provincial government will also allow retail outlets to sell alcohol as early as 7 a.m. in order to coincide with the preferred shopping hours of senior citizens that have been set aside to prevent any further contact with virus.