Iowa is officially the first state to turn a temporary measure due to the COVID-19 pandemic into a permanent one.
Governor Kim Reynolds (R) signed a bill on Monday allowing bars to serve cocktails to go.
“Making cocktails to-go permanent provides a much-needed source of stability and revenue for local bars, restaurants, and distilleries as they begin to recover,” says Dale Szyndrowski, Vice President of The Distilled Spirits Council Of The United States (DISCUS).
Szyndrowski goes on to say, “Iowa is leading the way and serving as a model for other states looking for innovative ways to boost struggling hospitality businesses.”
Since the pandemic hit, there have been over 30 states and Washington, D.C. that have allowed restaurants and bars to sell cocktails to go.
According to DISCUS, Florida, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington, D.C. are considering making their temporary policies on liquor permanent.