The county council is allowing Talbot County liquor license holders that serve food to also sell alcoholic beverages by delivery or carry-out.
In a Friday letter, Talbot County Council President Corey Pack authorized the delivery and carry-out sales.
The letter states:
“As you may know, yesterday Governor Hogan issued (an executive order) … to allow restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries and distilleries to deliver alcoholic beverages, exempting state law during this period of emergency.
“We are the only county in the state which has their own liquor laws and Talbot County’s liquor laws pre-empt state law to the extent that state law is inconsistent with our local laws. We wish to support the business community during this time of crisis to ensure that Talbot County liquor license holders can take advantage of the opportunities granted by the Governor’s Executive Order.
“Therefore, by this letter we grant authority to Talbot County liquor license holders who serve food to sell alcoholic beverages as a part of their carry-out and delivery services for so long as the Governor’s Executive Order is in effect under the following conditions:
• They have a current local liquor license and, before this emergency, sold food on premises;
• The person who delivers the alcohol must be over the age of twenty one (21) and must have completed alcohol
awareness training/TIPS, as required under current law;
• Deliveries/carry out for alcoholic beverages should only occur during the hours allowed for alcohol service
under the Talbot County liquor license;
• The alcoholic beverage must be served in a container that is sealed; and
• All other laws related to the service of alcohol to the public remain in effect.
“Breweries, wineries and distilleries can deliver as allowed under the Governor’s Executive Order and their state license.
Anyone with questions or concerns may contact the liquor board office by phone at 410-770-8019 or by email through the board secretary, Patricia Finneyfrock, at pfinneyfrock@talbotcountymd.gov.
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