Province to allow fast-tracked liquor licences for expanded patios

Restaurants, pubs, wineries, breweries and distilleries can temporarily expand the size of licensed patios and other areas of their premises during B.C.’S reopening by applying online without the usual red tape.

Restaurants that want to serve liquor on their patios would normally require a provincial liquor inspector to visit, examine their plans, and sign off on any proposal, but that requirement is temporarily waived, as is the normal fee, the B.C. government announced on Friday.

Food and drink service outlets this week were given approval to open at 50 per cent capacity and with other restrictions, cutting their potential revenues after more than two months of being closed. Some restaurants said they would lose more than half of their seating because of room reconfigurations.

The province said speeding up the process for a licence would increase the space for safely dining outside while following physical distancing guidelines.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said expanded restaurant seating outdoors is preferable because it is harder to transmit COVID-19 outside.

B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association president Ian Tostenson said the announcement was “excellent news” because the COVID-19 pandemic has created “unprecedented challenges” for everyone.

Any expansion by pubs and liquor manufacturers will be subject to approval by local governments.

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart welcomed the change, saying the city had already planned to fast-track approval for new patios beginning June 1.

“This type of collaboration between business, the province and local government will be key to ensuring Vancouver and B.C. can innovate and adapt quickly and responsibly, as we restart the economy,” Stewart said.