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The impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry which including bars, restaurants and liquor distributors, distilleries and breweries and more cannot be overstated. As losses continue, businesses have been forced to make difficult choices and identify innovative ways to protect their businesses and employees.

State and local governments have scrambled to mitigate the economic toll of the chosen response to the disease. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey continues to respond to calls from the liquor industry hard hit by COVID-19 and, as circumstances change day-by-day, the situation evolves rapidly.

As of March 31, 2020, regulatory relief for liquor licensees includes the following:

  • On March 31, Governor Ducey announced that the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control will defer payment of all licensing fees for 90 days. 
     
  • On March 26, Governor Ducey issued an Executive Order that defers certain licensure renewal requirements for six months. Licensees whose licenses are set to expire between March 1, 2020 and September 1, 2020 have six months from that date to complete the license renewal requirements unless the requirements can be completed online. The order also extends the date by six month for continuing education requirements that cannot be completed online.
     
  • Under Executive Order 2020-09 issued on March 19, 2020, restaurants with a Series 12 liquor license have temporary authority to sell alcohol for takeout and home delivery during the period of the emergency declared by the Governor, but must adhere to requirements to prevent the delivery and sale of liquor to minors

Small businesses, including bars, restaurants and other liquor industry providers impacted by COVID-19 may also be eligible for financial resources, including loan assistance through the Small Business Administration and the CARES Act.

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