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To-go alcohol sales to end Thursday due to end of NY's state of emergency

NYS Restaurant Association wants it to be permanent

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - The end of the state of emergency in New York will also mean the end of the "alcohol-to-go" initiative.

The initiative gave restaurants the ability to sell takeout alcohol as a way to generate more money during the pandemic. Because the initiative was only allowed during the state of emergency, it ends once the state of emergency ends on Thursday.


"While the lifting of the emergency order is a welcome milestone to the end of the pandemic, with it comes the sudden end to alcohol to-go," Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association said in a statement. "A permanent extension of alcohol-to-go is supported by 78% of New Yorkers, but the Legislature failed to extend it and now the Executive Order has ended. Only in New York would elected officials ignore an overwhelming majority of the public. Restaurants are struggling to find staff, keep up with rising costs and manage a limited supply of goods, and nearly two-thirds of the applicants will not receive Restaurant Relief Funds. New York State must do more to help, not hurt, our restaurant industry."

The New York State Liquor Authority also tweeted that the temporary pandemic-related privileges end Thursday.  

NYS Restaurant Association wants it to be permanent