NH Liquor & Wine Outlets Stay Open Despite COVID-19 Virus

CONCORD, NH — NH Liquor & Wine Outlets posted Wednesday that they are committed to remaining open at all 77 locations. Despite restaurants, bars, and businesses closing they will remain open. In a posting, they stated, "We have bolstered our thorough cleaning and disinfecting practices to ensure that our Outlets are safe for all customers and employees. We thank you for your business and we look forward to continuing to serve you." NH Liquor & Wine Outlets

The post was made after District 2 Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky, D-Concord, and a 2020 gubernatorial candidate, called on Gov. Chris Sununu to close the liquor stores, as well as Sununu's family Waterville Valley ski resort, to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

"Today, Governor Chris Sununu announced plans to shut down the state-owned Cannon Mountain ski resort due to the coronavirus pandemic, but he has not called for Waterville Valley to do the same," Volinsky said. "If the spread of coronavirus is a threat at the state-owned ski resort, it should be considered a threat at its privately-owned competitor, too."

As far as the liquor stores went, "they are not safe for employees or people concerned about community spread of coronavirus," he said. Pennsylvania already shut down their state liquor stores. The state's "liquor profit motives" should not be "a vector to spread coronavirus — especially given the number of out of state cash buyers New Hampshire attracts."

Sununu should order liquor stores to be temporarily shut down, Volinsky said.

"This is a time for leadership, and we should all be modeling behavior that shows we value the health and safety of our neighbors," he said.