Mixed drinks: Give flexibility to Tacoma businesses

“Tacoma asks for cocktails to-go to help restaurants, bars,” (TNT, 4/16).

With the new coronavirus threat, Tacoma’s restaurants and bars have been forced to shoulder much of the economic burden of social-distancing restrictions by being barred from in-house dining and drinking.

They’re only able to offer take-out food and factory-sealed beer, wine and drinks. This has caused most venues to close.

Meanwhile, states such as California and New York have allowed restaurants and bars to offer mixed drinks for take-out without any additional public safety risk. (California requires food to be ordered, too.)

This has allowed venues in these states to make far more revenue, reducing the number that will likely have to close permanently.

Led by council member Robert Thoms, the Tacoma City Council unanimously requested that the governor re-evaluate Washington’s overly restrictive policies.

The governor and the state Liquor and Cannabis Board should promptly act to follow the regulatory standards of New York and California, which are far larger and more diverse than Washington.

Imposing these restrictive policies does nothing for public health yet causes significant injury to small businesses.

This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 1:44 PM with the headline "Mixed drinks: Give flexibility to Tacoma businesses."