Pa. Reconsiders Closing Liquor Stores

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said Sunday night, March 22, that he’s reconsidering his order to shutter liquor stores as part of the state’s coronavirus mitigation effort.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board closed 600 wine and spirits stores across the state Tuesday, March 17, under Wolf’s social distancing directive. Since then, industry trade groups and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) have raised concerns about blanket shut downs, encouraging Wolf himself to revisit the decision.

“We are looking at that very seriously,” Wolf said. “I’m trying to understand the thinking in other states. On the one hand, this can be considered a nonessential function. On the other hand … this sometimes gets to be a health issue for those with a substance use disorder.”

Pennsylvania is the only state nationwide to close liquor stores, according to Chris Swonger, CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

The PLCB bans spirits sales outside of bars, restaurants and the state stores, so the shutdown leaves customers with virtually no access to alcohol beyond wine and beer.

“Pennsylvania’s hospitality industry, including craft distillers, is already under enormous strain due to the U.S. tariffs on EU spirits and wine products,” he said. “It is the only channel of distribution that Pennsylvania consumers have to distilled spirit.”

Swonger sent a letter to the governor Thursday urging him to consider alternatives to a complete shutdown – like allowing restaurants to sell liquor to takeout customers, reducing operating hours at state stores or only keeping a few select locations open.

“Many restaurants are now selling take away food only, and the loss of patrons is financially harming their businesses,” Swonger said. "These restaurants are already licensed to sell spirits and already are trained in proper ID verification. As restaurants across the state are suffering huge financial losses due to lack of business, the ability to also sell distilled spirits would help offset their losses and could potentially prevent permanent restaurant closures.”

Rachel Kostelac, a DDAP spokesperson, said the department – like many other state agencies – continues searching for creative ways to treat displaced and struggling residents.

“At this time, the administration is reviewing multiple options to help support individuals during COVID-19 mitigation, reiterating current practices to alleviate capacity issues, and speaking with stakeholders and providers to better understand their needs,” she said.

One workaround includes encouraging facilities with both detox and rehabilitation licenses to use their beds interchangeably.

“It is important for individuals to know that alcohol withdrawal can have be life threatening. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through Pennsylvania’s Get Help Now hotline,” Kostelac said.

The hotline number is 1-800-662-HELP.

According to Kostelac, The hotline is staffed by trained professionals who can stay on the line with an individual until they are connected directly to an appropriate treatment provider with capacity.

While Wolf said he’s reconsidering the liquor store issue, he’s holding firm to an order shuttering all nonessential businesses indefinitely in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19. The state began enforcement action on noncompliant businesses at 8 a.m. Monday, March 23. The Department of Community and Economic Development said Sunday it had processed 10,000 waivers for businesses petitioning to stay open.

“What we are trying to do is buy time,” Wolf said Sunday of the tightening restrictions on public life. “We can’t let what happened in Italy happen here.”

About 10 percent of patients who contact the coronavirus require hospitalization, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. The caseload continues doubling about every 48 hours, she said, underscoring the need for residents to “stay safe and stay home.”

“This is more than just a catchy phrase,” Levine said. “This virus is deadly.”