Vermont restaurants and bars can now serve alcohol "to go," and retailers can deliver alcohol directly to customers, as part of a package of extraordinary measures tied to the coronavirus pandemic.

Two days after restricting restaurants and bars to takeout orders only, Gov. Phil Scott announced Thursday that he would waive the usual rules about alcohol sales and delivery.

The governor has issued a series of orders to prevent people gathering in the same room and contracting the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough and breathing trouble. Most develop only mild symptoms. But some people, usually those with other medical complications, develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia, which can be fatal.

The governor's latest order notes that alcohol sales represent more than 40% of revenue for many restaurants and that the state is trying to avoid "adverse economic impacts."

The new rules allowing alcohol takeout and delivery are in effect until April 15.

See the governor's directive embedded below.

How does takeout work?

Under the governor's directive, restaurants and bars are allowed to sell beer, wine and cocktails as part of takeout orders.

The alcohol must accompany a meal.

Mule Bar in Winooski began selling takeout beer and wine Thursday as soon as the governor's order took effect. Troy Levy, co-owner and general manager, said it would help business and boost morale.

"There’s a lot of not great information coming out all the time," Levy said, "so for us to be able to get a small check in the win column can go a long way."

Levy said Mule Bar had already decided that Saturday, March 21, would be their last day of service before a temporary closure.

"This is just another way to support your local business," Levy said.

The governor's order also allows restaurants and bars, also known as first-class licensees, to offer curbside pickup and delivery of alcohol.

How does delivery work?

The governor's order allows retail stores to offer curbside pickup and delivery of unopened containers of wine, beer, spirits and "spirit-based product."

Deliveries must happen between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.

The retailers must keep a log of the employee who delivered the alcohol, what was delivered, names and locations of recipients, signatures of recipients, how they checked ID to verify that the recipient was at least 21 years old, and the time of the delivery.

Under normal circumstances, retailers must have a special permit to legally deliver alcohol.

Contact April McCullum at 802-660-1863 or amccullum@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @April_McCullum.

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