SE Oakland News

Rep. Michael Webber (R-Rochester Hill) announced that the House Regulatory Reform Committee has approved two plans that are intended to help restaurants and bars in Michigan, which have been closed for the last several months.

The plan is a bipartisan one, with support from Webber and Rep. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), and is aimed at helping local municipalities to set up specific areas for drinking in public.  

People of legal drinking age will be able to enjoy their beverages out and about, as long as they remain within the boundaries of the district. The bill will therefore permit the state’s bars and restaurants to sell cocktails to go or for delivery. 

“Local businesses across Michigan are hurting,” Webber said on the Michigan House Republicans website. “While it’s encouraging to see the governor allow bars and restaurants to open at 50% capacity on June 8, many worry that restriction will not help pull these establishments out of the economic hole the COVID-19 pandemic forced them into.”

Establishments will have the freedom to adapt, Webber said, and enjoy the financial benefit of people once again visiting for refreshment. He is confident that this is a safe way to promote social distancing.

“Social drinking districts are not a new concept, and they have been proven to be effective in other states -- even prior to COVID-19,” Webber said to Michigan House Republicans. “As Michigan bars and restaurants open back up, they’re going to have to adapt to a new environment created by COVID-19.” 

Local governments do have the ability to allow or revoke social districts, and beverages must be sold in the right type of container; the same type of rules required for filling growlers (a container for beer bought by the measure) would be put into place for to-go alcoholic beverages.

“This is a commonsense solution worth exploring, and it could prove very beneficial to the local establishments serving our communities,” Webber said, according to Michigan House Republicans.