Few may feel like popping Champagne corks in the midst of a global pandemic, but the Progressive Conservative government has some rare good news for the struggling hospitality industry.

Ontario is liberalizing liquor licensing laws to allow restaurants to temporarily sell beer, wine, and spirits to go.

Tourism Culture and Heritage Minister Lisa MacLeod told 1,250 industry participants on an electronic town hall Thursday that “our government is helping bars, restaurants, and pubs by allowing the sale and delivery of alcohol.”

Premier Doug Ford said Progressive Conservatives are responding to pleas for assistance from restaurateurs devastated by COVID-19.

“These folks are hurting so badly. They’re the ones who requested about home delivery,” Ford told reporters at Queen’s Park.

“It’s a good idea if people don’t have to leave their homes,” he said, emphasizing there are no plans to shut LCBO stores.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario said the measures are “to support Ontarians and businesses that have been significantly impacted by the spread of COVID-19.”

Effective immediately, licensed restaurants and bars in Ontario may sell alcohol with food takeout and delivery orders between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.

“All active liquor licensees may immediately begin offering this service if they choose and there is no application process or fee required,” the AGCO said.

“Liquor may be sold for takeout or delivery through a third party, such as a food delivery service or ordering platform, provided they are acting on behalf of the licensee,” the commission said.

Anyone involved in the delivery of alcohol must have successfully completed Smart Serve training, which can be done online.

“Everyone at the AGCO is concerned for the individuals, families, businesses and communities affected by this virus,” said Jean Major, the commission’s registrar and CEO.

As well, the 450 supermarkets that are already allowed to sell beer and wine — as well as breweries, wineries and distillers that remain open to the public — will be allowed to start selling those products at 7 a.m. “in order to support early shopping programs for vulnerable people and to provide greater flexibility to retail stores.”

“The AGCO is also extending by three months the term of all active liquor, gaming and cannabis licences, authorizations and registrations during this extraordinary situation. In all cases, licensees do not need to do anything. Existing licences will simply remain in effect for the extended period, at no additional cost.”

Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca first suggested the measures to help restaurateurs and other small business owners.

“I thank the government for being open to this suggestion,” Del Duca said after hearing MacLeod’s news.

“It will have a real economic impact for restaurants that are struggling to survive,” he said.

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“We are all in this together and I will continue to work together with the government to deliver positive progress during this difficult time.”

LCBO stores remain open during the pandemic, but on reduced hours of 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. They will be closed Mondays for extensive cleaning to protect staff and customers.

The Beer Store is also staying open, but only from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. The privately owned company has temporarily stopped accepting bottles returns.

Charlie Angelakos, chair of the Beer Store, praised the government for “demonstrating leadership and unprecedented action” in response to the pandemic.

“We agree that the hospitality sector deserves urgent support,” said Angelakos.

“The Beer Store and our 30 Ontario-based brewer owners are ready to work with the hospitality sector to implement these changes immediately. Let’s stick together and stay safe.”

Richard Linley, the president of Ontario Craft Wineries, hailed the moves, saying they “give Ontario residents an easy way to enjoy the local Ontario VQA wines they love in a safe way, while pairing them with the food offered by our local restaurant partners.”

Jamie Rilett, a vice-president of Restaurants Canada, said “providing licensed restaurants in Ontario the ability to deliver local products with takeout and delivery allows customers to continue to observe social distancing while offering much needed support for local food and beverage businesses.”

It’s expected that late next week the LCBO will allow licensees to return any unopened bottles for cash refunds, but individuals hoping to to bring back or exchange products will have to wait until the crisis has passed.

Restaurants and bars throughout Toronto have posted signs saying no alcohol or money has been left on the premises, suggesting there are mounting concerns about break-ins.

Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie