WILMINGTON — New guidance from Governor Roy Cooper’s office issued late Friday — just as Phase 2 was taking effect — clarifies a contentious section of his latest executive order which ordered bars to close. The new guidance makes exceptions for businesses that produce their own beer, wine, cider, or liquor.
On Wednesday, Cooper announced a ‘more cautious’ Phase 2 than originally expected. Much to the surprise and consternation of many, several business types that were originally expected to be included in Phase 2 reopening — including bars and gyms — were still prohibited from opening by Executive Order 141 for the duration of Phase 2, which is slated to last 4 to 6 weeks (or until mid to late June).
There was considerable push-back from the North Carolina Craft Breweries Guild (NCCBG), which pressured Cooper’s office to consider that that taproom/tasting rooms of breweries did not meet the same definition as bars.
In response, Cooper’s office added guidance stating that businesses “principally engaged in the business of selling alcoholic beverages for onsite consumption” were not considered bars and could thus open. (You can find the complete guidance at the end of this article,)
In essence, this guidance means businesses that produce cider, beer, wine, or liquor can open their on-site tasting rooms and taprooms, regardless of whether or not they serve food. (The new guidance also clarifies that breweries that serve food — i.e. ‘brewpubs’ — can also open, for any businesses that were unclear on their ability to do so.)
The guidance directs any such business that does open to follow the same enhanced sanitization and safety requirements that restaurants must follow under phase 2, including a 50% occupancy limit and rigorous cleaning procedures.
“If any customers consume food and/or beverages on-premises at the commercial winery, brewery, or distillery, the Emergency Maximum Occupancy requirements, Core Screening, Signage, and Sanitation requirements, and other regulations for restaurants under Section 6(C)(2) of Executive Order No. 141 apply. Therefore, any customers consuming food or beverages on-premises must be in seated groups that are spaced at least six feet apart, and customers or guests will be limited to 50% fire capacity,” according to the Governor’s Office.
The guidance does not impact the closure of ‘bars,’ regardless of how open-air, spacious, or sanitary they are.
Guidance from Gov. Roy Coop… by Ben Schachtman on Scribd
