Alabama ABC turns off tap for alcohol sales at 11 p.m. to curb COVID-19 spread

Published 2:25 pm Monday, July 27, 2020

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Alabama will temporarily change the time alcohol can be sold in bars and restaurants in an attempt to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The Alabama ABC Board voted Monday in an emergency meeting to restrict bars from selling alcohol after 11 p.m. The change also means alcoholic beverages must be consumed by 11:30 p.m.

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“The primary mission of the Alabama ABC Board is protect the health, safety and welfare of our citizens and we take this mission very seriously,” said ABC Board Chairperson Col. Alan Spencer. “We are very sensitive to the economic impact this rule will have. This is a gut-wrenching decision we are making today, but it is also gut-wrenching to see the number of Alabamians who are suffering from this disease. On balance, I am compelled to vote in favor of the rule. This will be a very short duration and will relieve this restriction as soon as possible.”

The new rule goes into effect Aug. 1 at 11 p.m.

Establishments with liquor licenses will be prohibited from selling alcohol between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The change doesn’t affect to-go or curbside sales.

The new rule, which passed unanimously, will run for 120 days.