TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Minutes after the leaders of Jacksonville-area beaches announced they would cut off alcohol sales at bars at midnight, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation announced a statewide suspension of on-site alcohol consumption at all bars.
“Based on recent increases in COVID-19 cases and non-compliance with previous orders, DBPR has taken action to suspend on-premises alcohol sales at bars. DBPR believes this is a necessary step to take to protect public health as we continue working in partnership with industry and health officials to combat COVID-19,” DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears said.
Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham said the extended hours permit was voluntarily adopted years ago, and allowed for sales between midnight at 2 am.
The statewide executive order means:
- Alcoholic beverage sales for on-site drinking is suspended, effective immediately, according to an Emergency Order 2020-09 from the DBPR.
- Any vendor that derives more than 50% of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages must suspend the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption. Sales can be made for to-go alcohol as long as it is consumed off-site.
- Licensed restaurants also may continue to operate for on-premises consumption of food and beverages at tables as long as 50% or less of their sales are alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.
At Jacksonville’s beaches:
- Everything from the state order applies
- Restaurants and bars cannot sell any alcohol after midnight
“We recognize that we’re seeing a pretty decent spike in cases primarily because of the impact at the bars,” Latham said.
The beaches mayors did not announce a mandatory requirement on masks, for now.
“We look around the state and we see those that have required them really aren’t seeing a true benefit,” Latham said.
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