Restaurants can now offer alcohol with takeout and delivery orders in Ontario

Mar 26 2020, 5:03 pm

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has announced that temporarily, licensed restaurants and bars can sell alcohol with food takeout and delivery orders.

In effect across the province and starting immediately, licensed establishments will be permitted to make these sales between 9 am and 11 pm, and there is no application process or fee required to begin.

And, alcohol 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.

“Everyone at the AGCO is concerned for the individuals, families, businesses and communities affected by this virus. We are working closely with the Government of Ontario to find ways of supporting Ontarians and the sectors we regulate during these challenging times,” Jean Major, registrar and CEO for the AGCO, said in a release.

The holder of the liquor sales licence is accountable for the responsible for these sales, which includes ensuring the person who the order is delivered t0 is at least 19, and isn’t intoxicated.

The licensee, or the staff involved in the delivery of alcohol, must have successfully completed Smart Serve training. If delivery is being carried out by a third party on behalf of the licensee, Smart Serve certification is required by April 25, 2020.

Further, authorized grocery stores and liquor manufacturer retail stores are permitted to begin selling alcohol as early as 7 am, in order to support early shopping programs for vulnerable people and to provide greater flexibility to retail stores.

The temporary extension of hours means all alcohol retail stores can choose their hours of sale to meet public health objectives.

Further, all active liquor, gaming and cannabis licences, authorizations and registrations are being extended by three months.

In all cases, licensees don’t need to do anything in order for this extension to apply to them. Existing licences will simply remain in effect, at no additional cost.

Kayla GladyszKayla Gladysz

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