ChemGal
One with keen eye
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I don't see how picking up food or having it delivered and celebrating at home is riskier than going over to someone else's place. I didn't say a thing about being in the bar or restaurants, it's the delivery/pickup.Since its people they know and could more easily trace, even if they did sneak off to a friend's place, that seems better in terms of limiting community transmission, than going to a bar or restaurant to spend New Years.
As for take out and delivery - until 8 pm is more reasonable than not having them open or allowed to sell booze at all. I really don't see how it would make a big difference. People just had to buy their booze at the liquor store before 8. I don't see the big deal.
Restaurant and business associations have enough collective clout that they can take some legal action or appeal to the government for compensation if they feel strongly about it and can prove significant loss from New Years. Thing is, bars and restaurants rake in a lot of extra tax free cash on New Years too - and the unreasonable mark-ups and door charges for the occasion notwithstanding - so I'm not sure they'd win that argument.
I remember the days when no liquor stores were open on Sunday. So if Sunday was New Years Eve, they'd have to plan ahead.
The big deal is it's preorders. Gift baskets assembled with NYE treats from local businesses including booze - suddenly needing to alter the timing or else breaking it open, removing the alcohol. Set menus based on pricing with bubbly and toasting flutes. It was planned ahead and then the rules changed with not giving people time to adjust the plans. With the special celebratory packages, especially for this year, NYE is probably the worst night to not give restaurants time to plan for an early cut off.
And why? What's the risk with someone putting a package in a vehicle that includes liquor so a couple can have a nice dinner once the kids are in bed with plans to toast a midnight?