COVID rules for liquor-serving businesses clarified

Liquor-service premises can make some slight changes to their business model to reopen under COVID-19 restrictions.

B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer said they have clarified a previous order that allowed liquor-service businesses, like bars and nightclubs, to remain open if they served meals.

Dr. Bonnie Henry said the province has worked with the service industry and clarified that offering a “full meal service,” which allowed some venues to remain open under the restrictions, includes offering appetizers, main courses and desserts. However, it does not apply if the venue only offer appetizers, tapas, desserts or snacks.

These businesses can meet that requirement by partnering with one or more external catering companies to make these meals.

Additionally, these bars and nightclubs must:

• Enter into an agreement with one or more catering partners to offer the meal service. A copy of all catering-partner agreements must be kept on the premises and be available to hand over to an enforcement officer upon request.
• Offer full-meal service, provide full menus, take meal orders, serve meals, and receive payment.
• Record the sale of meals and have those available for enforcement officers upon request.
• Cease full-meal service no more than three hours before ending liquor service.

These points will be reflected in the PHO’s Food and Liquor Serving Premises Order.