NY Restaurants Want Alcohol Drinks To-Go To Continue [POLL]

NEW YORK — While restaurants around New York were limited to takeout or greatly reduced seating because of the new coronavirus pandemic — if they were even open — one revenue bright spot was allowing eateries to sell alcoholic drinks to go.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo allowed establishments to sell alcohol as part of takeout or delivery in an executive order last spring, but it is set to expire March 28, News 12 reported.

The New York State Restaurant Association said allowing the off-premise sale of alcoholic drinks has been a financial lifeline for thousands of restaurants, and they want the state to let them continue doing it.

A survey conducted by the association found that 86 percent of New York adults want to make permanent the purchase of alcoholic beverages with takeout or delivery orders from restaurants.

Being able to sell alcoholic drinks increases the establishments' revenue, the association said.

Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of the association, said her members need this policy to become permanent for their restaurants in order for them to survive.

"We are supportive of any measure that will boost sales and help us get our employees who were laid off or furloughed back to work," she said.

Now it's your turn to weigh in on the issue. Vote in our unscientific poll and tell us what you think in the comments.