Alabama Bars And Restaurants Will Restrict Alcohol Sales Hours

MONTGOMERY, AL — The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board announced Monday that bars and restaurants in Alabama will be restricted from selling alcohol after 11:30 p.m., in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

"The primary mission of the Alabama ABC Board is to protect the health, safety and welfare of our citizens and we take this mission very seriously," ABC Board Chairperson Col. Alan Spencer said in a release Monday. "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 is effective immediately, but will not be enforced until Saturday, according to the ABC release. Beginning at 11 p.m. Saturday, all ABC licensees are required to cease the service and/or sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. with on-premise consumption to end at 11:30 p.m.

This decision comes during a month that saw COVID-19 cases spike considerably in Alabama, as he state reached record highs for COVID-19 hospitalizations, new cases in a day and COVID-19 deaths in a day. The two-week totals all month have been above 20,000 cases, and last week the state went three straight days with 30 or more deaths from the virus.

Many states, citing rising COVID-19 cases, already have closed bars or imposed other
limits, such as banning on-premises drinking, at businesses that sell alcohol. By adopting
this emergency rule, the ABC Board gives customers and businesses the ability to
continue operating in a semi-normal fashion by reducing the hours of on-premises alcohol
service.

"It is widely believed that alcohol consumption reduces Inhibitions," Spencer said. "After consuming alcoholic beverages individuals are less likely to follow Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention Guidelines, including the wearing of masks and social distancing, potentially
increasing the transmission of COVID-19.

"Our hope is that reduced hours of alcohol service will decrease social gatherings and the
transmission of COVID-19," ABC Board Administrator Mac Gipson said. "Our number one
goal is to protect the public and our license holders."

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