In an attempt to stop Pennsylvania residents from traveling into the county, liquor stores in Monongalia County are prohibited from selling alcohol to anyone without West Virginia identification during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
A press release issued over the weekend by the Monongalia County Health Department points out that Pennsylvania has a higher rate of infection than West Virginia.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf ordered state-owned liquor stores there closed on March 16.
“It has been observed that due to the proximity of Pennsylvania to Monongalia County and north-central West Virginia, many people are patronizing stores that sell spirits and hard liquors,” the release states.
The release mandates liquor stores must be limited to essential staff, place an employee in front of the premises to check IDs, provide adequate hand-washing stations and allow no more than 10 people, including employees, in the store at once.
Purchases are limited to three items per day.
According to the release, failure to follow the order could result in closure of the store.
The Monongalia County order came on the heels of an advisory from the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration permitting the delivery of sealed beer and wine by licensed restaurants, clubs, taverns and brew pubs.
Additionally, brewers and wineries may deliver their products to a person’s home.
It is the responsibility of the seller to verify the age of the purchaser.
The notice prohibits delivery by third parties, like Grubhub or UberEats, and does not extend to liquor or mixed drinks.
Further, distilleries are not permitted to home-deliver liquor.
