URGENT COVID-19 Update: Temporary extension to liquor store hours

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

We are sending you a second short update this afternoon with some positive news: 

Government continues to consider and respond to recommendations brought forward by ABLE BC and the Business Technical Advisory Panel, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective immediately: the LCRB is temporarily extending the hours of liquor service for Licensee Retail Stores, Wine Stores and Special Wine Stores, and Manufacturer Onsite Store endorsements to no earlier than 7:00 am and end no later than 11:00 pm. 

These extended hours are intended to assist retailers in implementing the Provincial Health Officer’s recommendations, including social distancing and providing early shopping hours for seniors and the vulnerable population. For example: most grocery stores are now inviting customers 60+ to shop one hour before stores open to the general public.

As part of this temporary policy change, the LCRB is also authorizing delivery services to purchase liquor on behalf of a customer from a liquor store or from any licensee authorized to sell in unopened containers, and deliver and sell that liquor to a customer, provided the delivery does not take place between 11:30 pm and 7:00 a.m. 

This new policy is effective immediately and is in effect until July 15, 2020. Licensees do not need to apply to change their hours of sale. 

Please review the Terms and Conditions Handbooks for more information:

Download a copy of the new policy directive here. 

We greatly appreciate the ongoing work of Attorney General David Eby, his staff, and the LCRB to support our industry in this time of crisis. Several other recommendations are currently being examined, and we hope to have additional news for you soon.

If you missed our update from earlier today, you can read it here.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC: jeff@ablebc.ca or danielle@ablebc.ca.

Ann Brydle