Nebraska bill to permanently allow carry-out booze advances

The policy has proven popular because it allows restaurant customers to order cocktails and other mixed drinks with their to-go orders

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An emergency order that lets Nebraska restaurants offer carry-out alcohol could become a permanent state law under a measure advanced by lawmakers.

The proposal builds off of Gov. Pete Ricketts’ temporary executive order to try to help restaurants during the coronavirus pandemic.

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The policy has proven popular because it allows restaurant customers to order cocktails and other mixed drinks with their to-go orders. Under the measure, drinks could only be sold in a sealed, tamper-evident container and not partially consumed.

Sen. Suzanne Geist, the bill’s sponsor, says she introduced it to help local businesses recover some of the revenue they lost due to government-mandated social distancing restrictions. The bill could still be tweaked to address concerns raised by some senators.

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