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Takeout Restaurant Alcohol Equals Easy Access for Minors
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By Christina Borbely and Suzette Rochelle-DiVirgilio
n an effort to help California restaurants and bars survive the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (the ABC) loosened restrictions on takeout and delivery of alcoholic beverages. This has provided an opportunity for our community to support local businesses and enjoy drinks responsibly at home to avoid COVID-19 transmission. Unfortunately, it has also created a greater challenge for public health: how do we prevent minors from accessing alcohol, ensure safe transport of alcoholic beverages in private vehicles, and enforce ID checks when alcohol is delivered by thirdparty services? The ABC’s Coronavirus regulatory relief changes allow alcohol licensees to sell alcoholic drinks to-go in prepackaged or sealed containers, through take out windows, and by curbside pickup. Containers for alcoholic beverages must have a secure lid or cap that prevents consumption without removal with no openings in the lid. In addition, retailers must post a prominent warning advising customers to put alcohol in the trunk of their car while driving, and that all provisions of California’s open container laws still apply. The ABC emphasizes that licensees must use this regulatory relief responsibly without compromising the public’s health, safety, or welfare. Far too many businesses have eagerly embraced the relaxed regulations while neglecting their responsibility to protect youth and the public.
Statewide ABC enforcement actions found significant violations of the law, stating that, “Most concerning is that minors are routinely able to purchase alcohol through delivery from restaurants. There have been instances in which the licensee’s own employees have done so, but a far greater rate has been evident among third-party delivery services.” Not Liable ompliance actions from ABC found up to 70% of minor decoys were able to receive alcohol from third-party delivery services. When alcohol is ordered through a third-party delivery service, such as DoorDash, UberEats, or GrubHub, the companies themselves are not liable. Legal responsibility for checking to make sure that they are not selling to minors rests on alcohol licensees and delivery drivers. When our local alcohol merchants and third-party delivery services treat public health as their personal responsibility, our community is less likely to experience consequences of increased youth alcohol consumption, alcohol poisonings, and drunk driving tragedies. Alcohol license holders must take the initiative to seek out the particulars of their responsibilities under the relaxed regulations and put them into practice. Parents and guardians should note the easier access to alcohol for minors and re-evaluate their system for preventing underage drinking. One way to engage is to have an honest, non-judgmental conversation with youth about safety and alcohol. Parents should keep alcohol in their homes locked up and monitor home deliveries. Some youth may be having trouble coping with the stress of the pandemic and isolation and may view alcohol as a way to escape. By having a conversation and keeping these products secured, parents can send a clear message that they will be there for their children, and alcohol won’t be. We don’t have to choose between thriving businesses and negative outcomes associated with increased alcohol use during the pandemic. To achieve a safe and healthy Santa Cruz County, we must remember our responsibilities as business owners, employees, policymakers, law enforcement officers, and parents. We can temporarily relax regulations
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and still maintain a healthy community by emphasizing education of alcohol merchants, consistent enforcement of the law, and securing and monitoring alcohol in our homes. n ••• Christina Borbely and Suzette RochelleDiVirgilio are co-chairs of Community Prevention Partners.
Baseball
ACROSS
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28. Back wound? 30. Siskel or Ebert 35. Smoothing appliance 37. Distinctive flair 39. Stomata, sing. 40. Burlap fiber 41. Archeologist’s find 43. Estimated arrivals 44. Discompose 46. Cobbler’s concern 47. Merlin or Gandalf 48. *B in RBI 50. Close by 52. Spade for stony ground 53. Karl of politics 55. Between ready and go 57. *Left, center or right one 61. *Yankees’ only #4 64. Blast from the past 65. Crew tool
12. Water source 15. Bacchus’ attendants 20. Weasel’s aquatic cousin 22. *Baseball trajectory 24. Diver’s edible reward 25. Muslim woman’s headscarf 26. Caribbean island DOWN destination 1. *Eat a hot one at the 27. Gained access to (2 game words) 2. Copycat 29. Hoppy beers 3. *Number of standard 31. Individual unit baseball positions 32. Bottom line 4. Miss Muffet’s meal 33. Idealized image 5. Vomiting 34. *Katie ____ or “____ 6. Highest point at the Bat” 7. *Scoring unit 36. Empty when kids leave 8. Annapolis frosh 38. World’s longest river 9. Tulip’s early stage 42. Cut it out 10. Capital of Latvia 45. Moved a flock of 11. Et alibi (2 words) sheep 67. Helped 69. ____ one’s time, past tense 70. Schiller’s poem 71. Express contempt 72. What Simon does 73. Cut grass 74. Intoxicating
49. Certain John’s or Jane’s last name 51. Re-use old ideas 54. Car sound, to a toddler 56. Trinity 57. Small door-opening devices 58. One of the hipbones, pl. 59. Whirlpool 60. “Big Little ____” 61. What Jack’s beanstalk did 62. It comes to mind 63. Turned to the right, like a horse 66. Commotion or fuss 68. Wine quality © Statepoint Media
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / March 15th 2021 / 25
