The Province is providing temporary relief to hospitality licensees who have had to suspend their operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These licensees will be allowed to sell their existing liquor stock to other licensees who are still operating and/or to private liquor stores.

These changes will provide immediate financial relief for licensees unable to meet the guidelines and mandates established by the provincial health officer by allowing them to liquidate some inventory.

The temporary authorization from the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) was requested by the Business and Technical Advisory Panel, a group of liquor industry leaders, as a way of supporting the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This authorization is set to expire on July 15, 2020. However, as the pandemic is an evolving situation, LDB will review this and other temporary authorizations as necessary.

Government has introduced other temporary actions in support of the hospitality industry, including authorizing all food-primary and most liquor-primary establishments to sell and deliver sealed, packaged liquor products for off-site consumption alongside the purchase of a meal, and allowing the expansion of service areas and patios so businesses can continue observing the provincial health officer's mandates as they begin to recover from the impact of COVID-19.

Learn More:

Read LDB’s policy directive here: https://wholesale.bcldb.com/sites/default/files/files/2020-06/Private%20Sale%20of%20Liquor%20During%20COVID19%20Pandemic%20Policy.pdf

For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.

For provincial health officer's orders, notices and guidance, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/phoguidance

For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/Covid-19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.