After the enactment of stay-at-home orders in many states and the relaxation of several state alcohol regulations, alcohol consumption, including drinking above the recommended guidelines and binge drinking, increased," Barbosa said.
State officials in Maryland, New Jersey and New York deemed liquor stores essential, and restaurants in New York, Vermont, Nebraska, Colorado and California can sell drinks for takeout and delivery.
North Carolina, however, has not relaxed alcohol restrictions, said Jeff Strickland, a spokesperson for the N.C. ABC Commission. But the state is allowing stores to sell alcohol for curbside pickup as these businesses struggle because of the pandemic.
"North Carolina ... in fact tightened (alcohol regulations)," Strickland said. "For example, no onsite consumption of alcohol was allowed at any ABC-permitted business during Phase 1, and some businesses are still unable to have onsite consumption during Phase 2."
