Liquor still for sale on P.E.I.

Although retail liquor stores across P.E.I. are closed, government-owned liquor will continue to be available across the province.

Jamie MacLeod, acting CEO of the P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission, tried to alleviate some confusion on Thursday by saying that agency stores Islandwide will remain open.

Dr. Heather Morrison, the province’s chief public health officer, announced Wednesday that provincially owned liquor stores were closing as of 2 p.m. on Thursday.

However, privately owned liquor stores and off-sales at breweries are not currently being restricted by the measures.

Morrison noted alcohol is considered essential to some individuals, which was why agency stores will be permitted to remain open for the time being.

On Thursday, MacLeod confirmed product will continue to be available at all agency stores.

“The P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission’s distribution centre will remain open to fill any liquor orders received form the agency stores,’’ MacLeod said in an email to The Guardian.

In regard to brewery sales, to cite one example, the P.E.I. Brewing Company posted a message from CEO Jeff Squires saying that even though draught sales in the company’s taproom have been suspended, retail beer will be available for pickup.

The brewing company taproom is on reduced hours from Monday to Saturday, 1-9 p.m., and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. The Gahan beer store will be operating on regular hours. The PEIBC Beer Station is closed until further notice.