Alcohol to-go is now permanent in Florida

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. — Alcohol to-go is now permanent in Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis made it official with a bill signing at an Ormond Beach restaurant on Thursday morning.

DeSantis said the bill is meant to continue to help restaurants and bars thrive through the pandemic and beyond.

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The idea of alcohol to go isn’t new. DeSantis signed an executive order in 2020 allowing alcoholic beverages in to-go orders to help restaurants and bars survive while Floridians quarantined at home.

The bill signed Thursday makes the service option permanent.

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“The legislature looked to do it and they got it done in a way that benefited our restaurants and bars, but in a way that is safe for the public,” he said.

Here are the rules:

• Alcoholic drinks are available for delivery and curbside pickup.
• Alcoholic drinks can’t be more than 32 ounces.
• Alcoholic drinks must be placed in secured containers by the business.

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The bill goes into effect on July 1.

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Cox Media Group