PA liquor stores to close tonight
Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board says it is taking this action to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.
| 17 Mar 2020 | 06:13
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced on March 16 that Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores throughout the state will close indefinitely starting at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17.
This action comes days after the control board suspended all of the stores' product tastings, bottle signings, educational seminars, and other group events.
"As retailers, communities and individuals around the world consider ways to help limit the spread and impact of coronavirus, we at the PLCB want to let you know what we’re doing to protect all our valued customers and employees," the control board said in a statement.
The online store, FWGS.com, for deliveries of wine and spirits closed at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The control board said it would be guided by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state Department of Health, and other public health and administration officials.
"We have also reinforced with store employees enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures to ensure our retail environments are as sanitary as possible," the control board said.
Toward the end of the month, the control board will re-evaluate its operations, guided by the governor and health department.
About The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates nearly 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers.
Taxes and store profits, totaling nearly $18.5 billion since the agency’s inception – are returned to Pennsylvania’s General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania’s schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services.
The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state.