Page 6 - Beverage MasterAug Sept 2020_Rev

Legal & Marketing

Regulatory Accommodations

in the Age of COVID-19

By: Brian D. Kaider, Esq.
T he COVID-19 pandemic has affected This article is not meant to give a complete status

of the law in any, much less every, state. Nor is
virtually every industry, from govern-
ment-mandated shutdowns, to limitations
on occupancy, to changes in consumer it to point out that one state is doing more than
another for the beverage industry. Each state is
behavior even in the absence of mandatory restric- facing its own unique challenges in the face of this
tions. Some businesses, such as live theaters, have pandemic due to differences in infection rates, hos-
been completely shuttered; Broadway recently pital capacity, population density, economic condi-
announced it will be dark until at least January 3, tions, political climate, culture, and various other
2021. But, breweries, wineries, and distilleries have factors. So, it is not surprising that their approach
the advantage of being both retail centers for their to these challenges differ, as well. It is also import-
products and also manufacturers. This dichotomy ant to note that as circumstances change, so does
has allowed many to keep their doors open in some the government response, so what is described
capacity throughout this emergency. Every U.S. below may have changed by the time this article is
state has allowed alcoholic beverage manufacturing published, and may continue to change.
to continue. How manufacturers have been able
to get their products into the hands of consumers, Rather, this article is meant to illustrate that there
however, has varied widely from state-to-state. are many options available to help industry mem-

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