Restaurants Violating California's COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Order Could Lose Liquor License

State officials in California are warning restaurants that they could lose their liquor license if they are caught violating Governor Gavin Newsom's COVID-19 stay-at-home order.

The warning came after two Northern California counties defied the governor's order to maintain social distancing procedures as a precautionary measure to curb the spread of COVID-19. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) visited several businesses in Yuba and Sutter counties and requested them to close their in-house dining rooms.

ABC said in an advisory that their department has gathered several complaints that businesses have opened their premises “in defiance” of Governor Newsom's stay-at-home orders. Those in violation were contacted and were advised to close immediately. Their investigation also led to 98% of the businesses to “shut down voluntarily.”

“For any licensee who has continued to operate despite the Department's effort to persuade them to voluntarily comply, the Department is pursuing administrative action against the licensed premises, an action that could result n the suspension or revocation of the license,” said ABC, adding that those defying the state-wide stay-at-home order “endangers public health and safety.”

The governor's order stipulates that restaurants can only operate for takeout services. They can still sell alcoholic beverages provided that it is placed in a sealed container. On the other hand, businesses that don't serve food are not allowed to operate.

These include bars and nightclubs, gyms and hair and nail salons, said the Los Angeles Times.

Despite having some of the counties' businesses to resume its operation as part of their “Modified Stay At Home” and “Facial Coverings” order, Yuba and Sutter health officer Dr. Phoung Luu criticized them for not observing the required protocols.

Luu said in a letter that media reports are pointing that many shops in the two counties are still missing “at least two vital cornerstones for safe operations.”

“I understand that some of your customers may strongly object to a facial covering requirement, but the long-term safety of our community is at stake. We do not want to take any step back in our phasing-in efforts,” she said.

The counties' defiance also reached Newsom, saying that businesses who still went on to reopen in contrast with the state-wide order are “making a big mistake.”

“They're putting the public at risk. They're putting our progress at risk. These are real exceptions. The overwhelming majority of Californians are playing by the rules, do the right thing,” said the governor, through Fox News.