Dakota Times

Restaurants and bars in Minnesota are now allowed to offer alcohol as part of their take-out food orders.

A newly passed bill enables individuals who are at least 21 years old to purchase a take-out order that includes beer, cider, hard seltzer and/or wine.

“[This] legislation is a jobs bill that will provide local restaurants and bars the flexibility they need to help pay their bills and keep Minnesotans employed,” Rep. Jon Koznick said in a press release on the Minnesota Legislature website. “Giving local establishments the option to convert existing wine and beer inventory into revenue to stay afloat is a more immediate solution to cash-flow problems than waiting for a loan.”

The alcohol must be sold in its original, unopened packaging and the total quantity is limited to no more than 72 ounces of beer, cider and hard seltzer, and no more than 750 milliliters of wine.

The temporarily alcohol take-out measure will be in place until restaurants and bars can fully open their businesses. During this coronavirus pandemic, Minnesota restaurants are currently allowed to only offer take out and delivery options while bars that don’t sell food have been forced to completely close.