COLUMBUS — Ohioans can get margaritas to go with their carryout tacos as part of relaxed rules on alcohol sales during the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Ohio businesses with a liquor permit can sell up to two alcoholic drinks per meal for takeout or delivery, according to a new rule approved unanimously by the Ohio Liquor Control Commission Tuesday morning.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine revealed the change Tuesday afternoon during his daily news briefing, and later signed an executive order concerning the change.

Under the emergency rule:

– No beer, wine or liquor can be consumed on-premise.

– Drinks cannot contain more than two ounces of liquor per container.

– All drinks must be sold in a closed container.

– Any drink sales must be part of a food order.

– No more than two drinks may be sold per meal.

– Drinks are taxed per usual.

– Rules such as sales to underage individuals or intoxicated people still apply.

Anthony Maltempi, owner of the longtime Dontino’s Fine Italian Cuisine in Akron’s North Hill neighborhood, was glad to hear of the change, and wanted more information Tuesday.

"Am I now able to put a shot of tequila in a styrofoam cup and put a lid on it and give it to someone?" he said. "I wish he [DeWine] would have elaborated more."

Nevertheless, Maltempi said, "these are tough times. Anything we can do to bring people in and increase our sales."

Mikaela Hunt, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Commerce, which oversees the state’s Division of Liquor Control, said in an interview Tuesday that drinks must be served in a closed container "that remains closed until the final destination, and for everyone that should be home given the governor’s stay-at-home order."

She said a styrofoam cup with a lid would suffice as a closed container, providing no straw is placed in the lid.

Dontino's, family owned and operated since 1930, has laid off 40 employees.

It is now operating with just four workers, and since March 15 has been offering carryout from noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Ohio ordered all bars and restaurants to close dine-in operations at 9 p.m. March 15.

"The outpouring of support has been phenomenal," Maltempi said.

Joe Gallagher, part owner and chef at D’Agnese’s at White Pond in Akron’s Wallhaven area, also wanted to find out more.

"I’d have to do some research into how it should be packaged," he said.

Gallagher said the restaurant, which also is offering carryout food, might offer a Perfect Manhattan, an Italian Manhattan (with the Italian apertif Aperol) and a vodka-based drink to go. He said he wanted to confer with the eatery’s bartender.

The new order might be a bigger boost to places known for a particular drink or cocktail spots that serve food, Gallagher said.

Similar emergency rulings have been enacted in other states, such as New York and Texas, to provide some financial relief to restaurants and bars that have had to close their dining rooms to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Ohio governor’s office said in a news release.

Under the emergency rule, breweries can now sell beer and wine that are not their own without a food purchase, but a food purchase is required for the sale of high-proof liquor.

The emergency rule will remain in effect for up to 120 days unless first rescinded by the Liquor Control Commission.

Hunt, the state commerce department spokeswoman, said the department proposed the emergency rule to the commission because "we wanted to give businesses some flexibility in the current environment.

Restaurants "have had to change their business model, and we want to help them during this time," she said.