The B.C. government has ordered liquor sales to cease early on Dec. 31 in an effort to reduce New Year’s Eve partying.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry made the announcement Wednesday afternoon, which also applies to retail alcohol sales, and bans the sale of booze in B.C. between 8 p.m. on Dec. 31 and 9 a.m. on Jan. 1.
Dr. Henry said the move is focused on decreasing the late-night consumption of alcohol.
She noted that the 8 p.m. last call means that people who have dinner reservations at a restaurant on New Year’s Eve should still be able to order a glass of wine or beer with their meal. Venues that do not provide full meal service must close at 9 p.m. on NYE.
Bars and restaurants have been required to stop serving booze at 10 p.m. for months now.
Health officials are particularly concerned about parties in resort communities, Dr. Henry said, so the 8 p.m. order is being extended to retail alcohol sales to “temper some of this risk.”
She said contact tracing investigations have shown that those under the influence often let physical distancing fall by the wayside. “For this one night, knowing the temptation… we’ve moved up last call.”
“This is a targeted effort to ensure that we don’t have a bill on New Year’s Eve that we are paying for days to come,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix.
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