TORONTO, Dec. 30 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – As the latest wave of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rise, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) Compliance Officers will be on tour on New Year’s Eve. Year in bars and restaurants in communities across the province to ensure they meet provincial public health requirements.
On December 19, 2021, the Ontario government introduced public health measures in response to the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. These measures include a 50 percent capacity limit in restaurants, bars and other dining and strip establishments. In addition, these establishments cannot sell alcohol after 10 p.m., and must close at 11 p.m.
Licensed businesses have an important role to play in ensuring safe communities and the openness of the hotel industry. While the vast majority of licensed establishments in Ontario operated responsibly throughout the pandemic, the AGCO has had to take regulatory action against a number of establishments that fail to do so. have not done so, including the suspension or revocation of their liquor license.
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“I want to thank the owners and staff in the hospitality industry for doing their part to support public health measures for the safety of their guests, staff and communities. As the New Years Eve countdown approaches, anyone planning to visit a bar or restaurant should be aware of any public health measures in place and not give facility staff the thread. hard to enforce them. And please remember not to drive impaired. Let’s all have a safe and enjoyable good night’s sleep! “
Tom Mungham, Registrar and CEO, AGCO
Quick Facts
Since the onset of the pandemic, the AGCO has focused on implementing government policies and AGCO-driven regulatory changes that help support and ease the burden on licensed establishments, including understood :
- Permanently allow restaurants and bars to sell alcohol with take-out and delivery orders, including mixed cocktails and jugs.
- Allow licensed grocery stores to offer curbside collection of beer, wine and cider.
- Give licensed establishments and retailers more flexibility in the use of liquor delivery services.
- Reduce the minimum price for spirits consumed in licensed establishments to align with the reduced prices introduced for take-out and delivery orders.
- Extend the duration of temporary patio extensions.
- Authorize the service of alcohol on moored boats with a liquor sales license.
- Streamline licensing and renewals for businesses through a single primary license with endorsements for additional businesses, such as on-site retail stores or breweries.
- Creation of a printable poster clearly describing the requirements for vaccination identification and denouncing bad behavior directed at license holders and their staff.
About the AGCO
The AGCO is a regulatory body of the Government of Ontario with a Board of Directors reporting to the Ministry of the Attorney General. It was established on February 23, 1998 under the Alcohol, Cannabis and Gaming Control and Public Protection Act, 1996.
The AGCO is responsible for regulating the liquor, gambling, horse racing and private cannabis retail sectors in Ontario, upholding the principles of honesty and integrity while ensuring the public interest.
MEDIA INFORMATION
AGCO Communications
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