Right now, in the widespread response to the COVID-19 virus, you can’t visit your local watering hole for a glass, cup or bottle of your favorite alcoholic spirits.
What are your options? You can head to the liquor store, buy your own bottles and make like Tom Cruise in the ’80s movie “Cocktail” (go look it up, it was good stuff). Or, for the first time in recent memory, you can get your booze delivered to you.
When Gov. DeSantis issued an order that all restaurants must go to take-out or delivery service, closing dining rooms statewide and eliminating any on-premises consumption of food and drink, he also lifted long-standing restrictions on selling packaged alcohol for delivery, take-out or consumption off-premises.
This means your favorite restaurant can include beer or your favorite specialty cocktail in with your food order for you to enjoy at home if you prefer someone else make it for you. You’ll will still need to present your I.D. when buying alcohol with their pick-up or delivery orders, and be careful with those points of contact with restaurant staff or delivery drivers.
Keep in mind Osceola’s curfew is in effect starting at 11 p.m. nightly, so restaurants may have reduced hours because they are only completing to-go or delivery orders.
We’re hearing stories of Orland0-area operators offering discounts on large take-out or to-go orders that include drinks, so call and ask — but above all, support your local businesses, call and see what they are offering to keep us in better spirits during this trying time.
So go ahead and enjoy alcohol in the comfort of your home as you practice your social distancing– and of course, do not drink and drive.
